The
carpal tunnel is formed of the bones of the hand and a fibrous
sheath, the flexor retinaculum. The median nerve and nine
tendons of the flexor muscles of the forearm pass through
this tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from narrowing of the tunnel,
due to swelling of any of the tendons or their outer layer
(synovial sheath). The median nerve may be compressed as it
passes through the tunnel. |