Final answer:
The ulnar nerve goes to the hand without passing through the carpal tunnel, unlike the median nerve, which is subject to compression within this space, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Nerve that Bypasses the Carpal Tunnel
The nerve that goes to the hand and does not pass through the carpal tunnel is the ulnar nerve. In contrast, the carpal tunnel provides a passageway for the median nerve and nine muscle tendons from the anterior forearm into the hand. This structure is defined by the u-shaped carpal bones forming its walls and floor, and the flexor retinaculum forming the roof (Figure 8.9).
The median nerve is susceptible to compression within this narrow passageway, leading to what is known as carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by pain, numbness, and muscle weakness in parts of the hand that the median nerve supplies. However, the ulnar nerve travels through a separate path, known as Guyon's canal, and thus avoids the issues associated with the carpal tunnel.