Anatomical relations in the carpal tunnel: a computed tomographic study.

Computed tomography of the carpal tunnel was performed in the hands of both patients and controls in a neutral position, in flexion and in extension. The median nerve was not compressed between the long flexors and the flexor retinaculum in either flexion or extension of the wrist. In flexion, the nerve usually moved dorsally, away from the flexor retinaculum. No difference could be found between the cross-sectional area of the carpal tunnel between patients and controls.