Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of which nerve?

Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of which nerve?

• A. Median nerve of the wrist
• B. Ulnar nerve of the wrist
• C. Radial nerve of the wrist
• D. Axillary nerve

Answer: (A)

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The carpal tunnel is formed by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament, and the median nerve runs there with several flexor tendons. When compressed, it causes numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers (the lateral digits) and can weaken the thenar muscles, affecting thumb opposition and abduction. The other nerves mentioned are not under pressure in the carpal tunnel and would produce different patterns of symptoms: the ulnar nerve affects the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger; the radial nerve is involved with wrist extension and the dorsum of the hand; the axillary nerve supplies the shoulder region.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The carpal tunnel is formed by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament, and the median nerve runs there with several flexor tendons. When compressed, it causes numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers (the lateral digits) and can weaken the thenar muscles, affecting thumb opposition and abduction. The other nerves mentioned are not under pressure in the carpal tunnel and would produce different patterns of symptoms: the ulnar nerve affects the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger; the radial nerve is involved with wrist extension and the dorsum of the hand; the axillary nerve supplies the shoulder region.