The sectional anatomy of the carpal tunnel and its related neurovascular structures studied by using plastination

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology of the carpal tunnel and its related neurovascular structures. A slice anatomy study was performed on 12 right wrists of unfixed human cadavers by using the plastination technique. The measurements were performed at the level of the pisiform, hook of the hamate and in the middle between these structures. The diameters of the carpal tunnel and the median nerve were measured at the level of the hook of the hamate. The median nerve can be predicted to be 18 +/- 1.6 mm radial to the pisiform and the ulnar neurovascular bundle 6.8 +/- 1.4 mm radial to the pisiform. Between those structures there will be at least a 9-mm area, localized 8 mm radial to the pisiform, where the incision of the transverse carpal ligament could be performed risk-free. At the hamate hook the median nerve can be predicted at 9.24 +/- 1.18 mm and the ulnar artery lies usually 1.26 +/- 2.5 mm radial to the hook. An understanding of the contents and their positions, and relationships to each other allows an accurate identification of neurovascular structures in the carpal tunnel. Our findings can be used as anatomic landmarks of the carpal tunnel and could be helpful to physicians performing carpal tunnel investigations.