Hand and finger infections

Background

Wrist and hand deeper palmar dissection

Distal interphalangeal dislocation (DIP), proximal interphalangeal dislocation (PIP), and metacarpophalangeal dislocation (MCP) joints of the finger shown.

Volar/anterior finger anatomy.

Lateral finger anatomy.

Patients with systemic symptoms due to a hand infection are seriously ill and require inpatient management

Hand Anatomy

Volar = anterior = palmar
Dorsal = posterior

Nailtip Anatomy

A. Nail plate; B. lunula; C. root; D. sinus; E. matrix; F. nail bed; G. hyponychium; H. free margin.

The perionychium includes the nail bed and the paronychium.
The paronychium is the lateral nail fold (soft tissue lateral to the nail bed).
The hyponychium is the palmar surface skin distal to the nail.
The lunula is that white semi-moon shaped proximal portion of the nail.
The sterile matrix is deep to the nail, adheres to it and is distal to the lunule.
The germinal portion is proximal to the matrix and is responsible for nail growth.