The syndrome associated with numbness, tingling, or pain in the hand and arm due to median nerve compression is known as which condition?

• A. Bursitis
• B. Tendonitis
• C. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• D. Dermatitis

Answer: (C)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This tunnel is formed by wrist bones on the palm side and the overlying transverse carpal ligament, so any swelling or overuse can squeeze the nerve. When the median nerve is irritated, you feel numbness, tingling, or pain in areas it supplies—typically the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the outer part of the ring finger. Symptoms often show up at night or with repetitive hand use, and over time the muscles at the base of the thumb (the thenar muscles) can weaken, affecting grip and pinch strength. This pattern differentiates it from bursitis (inflammation of a joint’s bursa causing localized swelling and pain), tendonitis (tendon inflammation causing pain with movement), or dermatitis (skin inflammation). Understanding the nerve distribution and where the pressure occurs helps explain why these symptoms appear in the hand and arm with median nerve compression.