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Carpal tunnel syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow space in the wrist. It contains wrist bones and a ligament (transverse carpal ligament) across the wrist where the palm and forearm meet. Tendons and the median nerve pass through this space to your hand. The median nerve supplies feeling and some movement to part of the hand.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused when a health condition or problem makes the carpal tunnel space too small. This puts pressure on the median nerve and causes pain, tingling, and other symptoms.
Current as of: March 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Herbert von Schroeder MD, MSc, FRCSC - Hand and Microvascular Surgery & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
