Dupuytren's contracture affects which structure of the hand?

• A. Dorsal fascia of the hand
• B. Palmar fascia of the hand
• C. Plantar fascia of the foot
• D. Fascia lata

Answer: (B)

Dupuytren's contracture affects the palmar fascia of the hand. The palmar fascia (palmar aponeurosis) is a thick fibrous layer in the palm that helps anchor the skin and gives rise to bands toward the fingers. When diseased, this fascia thickens and forms cords that pull the fingers into flexion, typically at the metacarpophalangeal joints and sometimes the proximal interphalangeal joints, most often involving the ring and little fingers. This contrast with the dorsal fascia of the hand, which lies on the back of the hand, and with the plantar fascia of the foot or fascia lata in the thigh, which are in other regions and not involved in this condition.