Final answer:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a health condition causing pain and disability in the hand due to compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel in the wrist, often associated with repetitive strain or injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. This happens in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist made up of bones and ligaments. The nerve's impingement typically occurs due to repetitive motions, such as typing or assembly line work, and can result in pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist.
The symptoms are often felt in the thumb and first two fingers, and can lead to muscle weakness in these areas. Treatment options include wearing a wrist splint, receiving corticosteroid injections, and in severe cases, surgery to cut the ligament and relieve pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel itself is a space in which nine muscle tendons and the median nerve pass from the anterior forearm into the hand, which, when under strain, can lead to inflammation and swelling that cause the compression of the nerve.