Which condition is caused by compression of the median nerve within the wrist, leading to numbness in the fingers?

Which condition is caused by compression of the median nerve within the wrist, leading to numbness in the fingers?

• A. Pronator Teres
• B. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• C. De Quevain's Tenosynovitis
• D. Tendonitis

Answer: (B)

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist narrows the carpal tunnel and produces Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This condition causes numbness in the fingers because the median nerve supplies sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and the radial half of the ring finger. The other options involve different sites or problems: a nerve compression near the elbow (pronator teres syndrome) can affect the hand but not from wrist compression; De Quevain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation of thumb tendons at the first tunnel and mainly causes pain and swelling rather than numbness; tendonitis is a general tendon inflammation not specifically tied to median nerve numbness.

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist narrows the carpal tunnel and produces Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This condition causes numbness in the fingers because the median nerve supplies sensation to the thumb, index, middle, and the radial half of the ring finger. The other options involve different sites or problems: a nerve compression near the elbow (pronator teres syndrome) can affect the hand but not from wrist compression; De Quevain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation of thumb tendons at the first tunnel and mainly causes pain and swelling rather than numbness; tendonitis is a general tendon inflammation not specifically tied to median nerve numbness.