Quantitative Analysis of the Carpal Tunnel and Its Inner Structures in Primates

Abstract

To explore the anatomical factors potentially involved in the high incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in humans, we have quantified the anatomical variations of the carpal tunnel and its inner structures in humans, non-hominoid primates (monkeys), and hominoid primates (apes). In specimens of six humans, eight monkeys, and three apes, we assessed the size of the carpal tunnel, the tendons of the digit flexor muscles, and the median nerve. We compared the size of the carpal tunnel normalized by the wrist size, and the size of the median nerve and the tendons of the digit flexors normalized by the size of the carpal tunnel. Differences between humans and monkeys were calculated using the T test or Mann–Whitney U test, as appropriate. Data on the apes were not included in the statistical analyses due to the small sample size. The normalized size of the carpal tunnel was similar in all specimens. The normalized size of the tendons of the digit flexors was smaller in humans, while that of the median nerve was significantly larger. The median nerve was also larger in apes than in monkeys. The relatively larger median nerve observed in humans could suggest a greater vulnerability of the nerve to compression, which could predispose humans to carpal tunnel syndrome. However, the tendons of the digit flexor muscles were smaller in humans, and moreover, the proportional size of the median nerve was similar in apes, leading us to suggest that the factors predisposing humans to carpal tunnel syndrome must be sought beyond anatomical features and may be more closely related to functional or personal parameters.