Question

Carpal tunnel syndrome involves an injury to the median nerve. The nerve is compressed due to in- flammation in the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel will not result in which of the following?

A)
Numbness in little finger

B)
Pain in the wrist upon exertion

C)
Pain in the second and third fingers

D)
Numbness in the thumb

Answer 1

Carpal tunnel syndrome will not result in numbness in the little finger since it does not affect the ulnar nerve, which is responsible for the sensations in that finger.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of the median nerve, which can lead to pain, numbness, and muscle weakness in the associated regions of the hand. Specifically, the median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger but not the little finger. Thus, carpal tunnel syndrome will not result in numbness in the little finger as this finger is innervated by the ulnar nerve instead. Symptoms such as pain in the wrist upon exertion, pain in the second and third fingers, and numbness in the thumb are common with this condition.