Which structure does NOT pass through the carpal tunnel?

Which structure does NOT pass through the carpal tunnel?

• A. Flexor digitorum superficialis tendons
• B. Flexor digitorum profundus tendons
• C. Median nerve
• D. Ulnar nerve and artery

Answer: (D)

The carpal tunnel is a passage on the palmar side of the wrist that contains the tendons of the flexor muscles (nine in total: the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus tendons, plus the flexor pollicis longus) and the median nerve. Structures outside the tunnel include the ulnar nerve and artery, which travel through Guyon’s canal on the ulnar side of the wrist rather than through the carpal tunnel. So the ulnar nerve and artery do not pass through the carpal tunnel.

The carpal tunnel is a passage on the palmar side of the wrist that contains the tendons of the flexor muscles (nine in total: the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus tendons, plus the flexor pollicis longus) and the median nerve. Structures outside the tunnel include the ulnar nerve and artery, which travel through Guyon’s canal on the ulnar side of the wrist rather than through the carpal tunnel. So the ulnar nerve and artery do not pass through the carpal tunnel.