The Carpal Tunnel

Question 1

What is the carpal tunnel?

Answer 1

Passageway from the forearm to the hand passing deep to the flexor retinaculum.

Question 2

The fibrous retinaculum is what?

Answer 2

A strong fibrous band which stabilises the concavity of the palmar surface of the carpus (carpal bones), transmitting a number of structures

Question 3

The flexor retinaculum is anchored to what?

Answer 3

To 4 of the carpal bones below these are:

The scaphoid and the trapezium on the lateral side

The pisiform and hamate bone on the medial side.

Question 4

What is the contents of carpal tunnel?

Answer 4

4 tendons of the flexor digitorum profundus

4 tendons of flexor digitorum superficialis

1 tendon of flexor pollicis longus

Median nerve

Question 5

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 5

This is a common clinical condition in which any reduction in the space (secondary to swelling) within the carpal tunnel can result in weakness and tingling in the muscles and skin supplied by the median nerve. If ignored this can result in long-term functional issues