Normal anatomy and variations of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel

Abstract

The carpal tunnel is the pathway between the flexor compartnent of the forearm and the midpalmar space of the hand. Containing the median nerve and all the finger and thumb flexor tendons, they converge adjacent to the carpal tunnel and then diverse distally into the deeper palm. Also, it is a commonly used approach to the carpal dones and the joint compartments of the wrist. Variations in the volume of its contents may be possible. In cases of abnormal narrowing of the carpal tunnel as well as during motions in the wrist joints, there are changes of unnel volume and pressure. The osseous walls are not completely rigid because the carpal bones shift against one another during the motions between forearm and hand [36]. Aberrant muscles like palmaris profundus, lumbricalis, and/or muscles belies can also narrow the tunnel volume as well as an abnormal course of the superficial brach of the radial artery [11, 18, 29] © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.