This page contains links to line drawings and computer-generated images of the hand.

Palm side of the hand
(the anatomic name is volar)

Level 1: This is a view of the palm side (volar) of the hand, with the skin removed.

Level 2: This is a view of the palm side (volar) of the hand, with the skin and superficial fascia removed, and part of the palmar aponeurosis pulled distally (toward the fingertips) to reveal the transverse carpal ligament and some of its contents.

Level 3: This is a view of the palm side (volar) of the hand, with the skin, superficial fascia, and the palmar aponeurosis removed, to reveal the contents of the carpal canal.

Level 4: This is a view of the palm side (volar) of the hand, with the skin, superficial fascia, and the palmar aponeurosis removed to the level of the digital flexor sheaths, to reveal the flexor tendons and digital nerves.

Level 5: This is a view of the palm side (volar) of the hand, with the tendons removed and portions of the thenar and hypothenar muscles removed to show their layering.

Level 6: This is a view of the palm side (volar) of the hand, showing the deepest layers of the palm.

Level 7: The bones and joints of the hand.

Level 8: The bones of the arm.
Note: a patient showed me a book entitled "Illustrated Essentials of Musculoskeletal Anatomy", by Seig and Adams, published by MegaBooks. It looked good to me, very simple and straightforward.

Computer-generated image of palm (Level 9)

Level 10: This is a view of the back side of the hand (dorsum), showing the tendons.

Level 11: This is a deeper view of the back side of the hand, showing the muscles and vessels.

Level 12: Motions of the wrist and forearm: flexion, extension, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, pronation and supination.

Level 13: Extensor and flexor tendon mechanisms

Back side of the hand
(the anatomic name is dorsal)

Level 1: This is a view of the back side (dorsal) of the hand, with the skin removed.

Level 2: This is a view of the back side (dorsal) of the hand, with the tendons removed.