Carpal tunnel

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Carpal tunnel
Transverse section across the wrist and digits. (The median nerve is the yellow dot near the center. The carpal tunnel is not labeled, but the circular structure surrounding the median nerve is visible.)
Latin	canalis carpi
Dorlands/Elsevier	c_04/12208551

This article is about the connective tissue. For the syndrome, see Carpal Tunnel syndrome. For the song by Fall Out Boy, see The Carpal Tunnel of Love.

In the human wrist there is a sheath of tough connective tissue (the flexor retinaculum) which envelops and protects several structures. The carpal tunnel is the space between this sheath (above) and the bones (below) making up the wrist and hand (carpal bones).

Contents 1 Contents 2 Clinical significance 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Contents

• Tendons of the following muscles (not the muscles themselves):
  • flexor digitorum profundus
  • flexor digitorum superficialis
  • flexor pollicis longus

Some sources also include the flexor carpi radialis,^[1] although it is more precise to state that it travels in the flexor retinaculum which covers the carpal tunnel, rather than running in the tunnel itself.

• Nerves:
  • Median nerve between tendons of Flexor digitorum profundus and Flexor digitorum superficialis

[edit] Clinical significance

The term 'carpal tunnel' is also used quite commonly to refer to 'carpal tunnel syndrome' which is a condition where the median nerve is compressed within the tunnel and causes pain and/or numbness of the wrist/hand, never proven to be the result of repetitive motion such as painting or typing. It has been shown to be associated with obesity, hypothyroidism, diabetes, pregnancy, family history, rheumatoid arthritis and wrist shape. It can be associated with certain fractures of the forearm and wrist. Work relatedness is less than is currently thought by the lay public and by non-hand surgeons. Even work that has high force and high repetitions is only partially related to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is important because the median nerve can be compressed in cases such as the following:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Wrist dislocations
• Fractures around the wrist

[edit] See also

• tarsal tunnel

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Carpal+tunnel at eMedicine Dictionary
• Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator, at Elsevier 25466.091-1

v • d • e General anatomy of upper limbs Arm Axilla • Axillary sheath • axillary folds (Anterior, Posterior) spaces (Quadrangular space, Triangular space, Triangular interval) • Clavipectoral triangle compartment of arm (Posterior, Anterior) fascia (Axillary, Brachial) - intermuscular septa (Lateral, Medial) Forearm Cubital fossa (Bicipital aponeurosis) • Cubital tunnel • common tendons (Extensor, Flexor) • Interosseous membrane of the forearm compartment of forearm (Posterior, Anterior) fascia (Antebrachial fascia) Hand posterior: Extensor retinaculum • Extensor expansion • Vincula tendina • Anatomical snuff box anterior: Flexor retinaculum • Carpal tunnel • Palmar aponeurosis • Ulnar canal • Synovial sheath (Common synovial sheath for the flexor tendons) Finger