3.3. Carpal Tunnel Flashcards
What is the Carpal Tunnel?
A Narrow Passageway found on the Anterior Portion of the Wrist
What is the function of the Carpal Tunnel?
It serves as the Entrance to the Palm for Several Tendons and the Medial Nerve
How many Layers form the Carpal Tunnel?
2
What are the 2 Layers of the Carpal Tunnels?
- Deep Carpal Arch
2. Superficial Flexor Retinaculum
How do the Deep Carpal Arch and Superficial Flexor Retinaculum form the Carpal Tunnel?
A Concave Surface, which is converted into a Tunnel by the Overlying Superficial Flexor Retinaculum
Which side of the Deep Carpal Arch is Concave?
The Palmar Side
What parts of the Carpal Tunnel is formed by the Deep Carpal Arch?
- Base of the Carpal Tunnel
2. Sides of the Carpal Tunnel
What forms the Lateral Wall of the Carpal Tunnel?
- Scaphoid
2. Trapezium tubercles
What forms the Medial Wall of the Carpal Tunnel?
- Hook of the Hamate
2. Pisiform
What type of Tissue forms the Superficial Flexor Retinaculum?
Thick Connective Tissue
How does the Superficial Flexor Retinaculum turn the Carpal Arch into the Carpal Tunnel?
By Bridging the Space between the Medial and Lateral parts of the Arch
Where does the Superficial Flexor Retinaculum Originate from?
Lateral Side of the Carpal Arch
Where does the Superficial Flexor Retinaculum insert into?
Medial Side of the Carpal Arch
How many Tendons are contained in the Carpal Tunnel?
9
What covers the Tendons contained in the Carpal Tunnel?
Synovial Sheaths
What nerve is contained in the Carpal Tunnel?
Median Nerve
What Branch of the Median Nerve splits off before the Carpal Tunnel?
Palmar Cutaneous Branch of the Median Nerve
Where does the Palmar Cutaneous Branch of the Median nerve travel, in relation to the Carpal Tunnel?
Superficially to the Superficial Flexor Retinaculum
What are the Tendons which travel through the Carpal Tunnel? [3]
- 1 x Tendon of the Flexor Pollicus Longus
- 4 x Tendons of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus
- 4 x Tendons of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
How many Synovial Sheaths cover the 4 Tendons of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus, and the Tendons of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis?
1
What is the only Tendon, to be contained in the Carpal Tunnel, which has its own Synovial Sheath?
Tendon of the Flexor Pollicus Longus
What is the function of the Synovial Sheaths?
It allows Free Movement of the Tendons
- What Tendon is often said to be in the Carpal Tunnel, but actually isn’t?
- Where is this actually found?
- Flexor Carpi Radialis Tendon
2. Within the Flexor Retinaculum
What happens to the Median Nerve, once it has passed through the Carpal Tunnel?
It Divides into 2 Branches
What are the 2 Branches the Median Nerve Divides into after passing through the Carpal Tunnel?
- Recurrent Branch of the Median Nerve
2. Palmar Digital Nerves
What does the Recurrent Branch of the Median Nerve, innervate?
Thenar Muscle Group
What do the Palmar Digital Nerve Branch, of the Median Nerve, Innervate?
Lateral 2 Lumbrical Muscles
What does the Palmar Digital Nerve Branch, of the Median Nerve, provide Sensory Innervation for?
[2]
- Palmar Skin
2. Dorsal Nail Beds of the Lateral 3 1/2 Digits