Title
Determination of safe zone for median nerve in carpal tunnel using anatomical landmarks
Authors
M Khizer Hussain Afroze1, M Sangeeta1, Kumaraswamy Revanakimath1, SN Umesh2* & Dakshya Perumal1
Affiliation
1Department of Anatomy, MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Hoskote, Bangalore, Karnataka, India; 2Department of Anatomy, Sri Chamudeshwari Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Channapatna, Karnataka, India; *Corresponding author
M Khizer Hussain Afroze - E-mail: drafroze.homoeo@gmail.com
M Sangeeta - E-mail: sangeetanatomy@gmail.com
Kumaraswamy Revanakimath - E-mail: kumarvidya1402@gmail.com
SN Umesh - E-mail: veenaumesh66@gmail.com
Dakshya Perumal - E-mail: dakshyaperumal2002@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received September 1, 2025; Revised September 30, 2025; Accepted September 30, 2025, Published September 30, 2025
Abstract
Carpal tunnel release, though common, carries a risk of iatrogenic median nerve injury, making it important to determine its safe zone within the tunnel using consistent palpable. In this study, 40 formalin-fixed upper limbs were dissected, and distances from the radial styloid process (RSP), palmaris longus tendon (PLT), and the medial-most point of the lower end of the ulna (LBU) to the median nerve (MN) were measured. The MN was consistently medial to the PLT and deep to the flexor retinaculum, with a mean RSP–MN distance of 28.48 mm, showing significant side differences (p = 0.001). A positive correlation between RSP–PLT and RSP MN distances (r = 0.410, p = 0.016) confirmed the PLT as a useful landmark, while RSP and LBU served as reliable alternatives when PLT was absent. Thus, we show the clinical value of these anatomical landmarks in minimizing nerve injury during carpal tunnel procedures.
Keywords
Palmaris longus, anatomical landmark, radial styloid process
Citation
Afroze et al. Bioinformation 21(9): 3130-3134 (2025)
Edited by
P Kangueane
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
