carpal tunnel

The carpal tunnel is a fibro-osseous canal in the anterior (volar) wrist that acts as a passageway for structures between the forearm and the anterior hand.

Gross anatomy

Boundaries
Attachments
Contents

The carpal tunnel contains the following structures, from superficial to deep:

  • flexor digitorum superficialis tendons (four) (with middle and ring finger more superficial to the index and little finger)
  • median nerve (laterally)
  • flexor pollicis longus tendon (laterally)
  • flexor digitorum profundus tendons (four)

Note, the flexor carpi radialis is often wrongly stated to be within the carpal tunnel. Its course is in fact between the superficial and deep layers of the flexor retinaculum itself within its own compartment.

The tendons within the carpal tunnel are surrounded by synovial sheaths: one which envelops the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus together, and a separate sheath for the flexor pollicis longus.

Onto the surface of the medial aspect is formed the Guyon's canal through which runs the ulnar nerve and artery (ulnar nerve more medial), superficial to the tunnel. More laterally, the palmaris longus is attached to the superficial surface. The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve runs superficial.

Variant anatomy

Variant anatomical structures within the carpal tunnel :

Related pathology

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