Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Carpal tunnel syndrome is primarily associated with compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The anatomy of the wrist includes the carpal tunnel, which is formed by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament. The median nerve, along with tendons of the flexor muscles, passes through this narrow passage. When the space within the tunnel is reduced, either due to swelling, inflammation, or anatomical variations, it leads to increased pressure on the median nerve, resulting in the symptoms characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand, particularly in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Understanding why other nerves are not commonly involved enhances the comprehension of this condition. The ulnar nerve, although it can be affected by other entrapment syndromes, runs outside of the carpal tunnel and is typically associated with cubital tunnel syndrome at the elbow. The radial nerve primarily innervates the back of the hand and forearm and is not typically involved in carpal tunnel syndrome. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back and travels down the leg, thus playing no role in hand symptoms resulting from the compression seen in carpal tunnel syndrome.