Anterior region of wrist

The anterior region of wrist (a.k.a. anterior or palmar carpal region) is the front part of the wrist, located between the distal forearm and the base of the hand. This area is defined by the palmar surface of the carpal bones and covered by the thick, fibrous flexor retinaculum (also known as the transverse carpal ligament). This retinaculum forms the roof of the carpal tunnel.

Carpal Tunnel and Guyon's Canal

Deep to the flexor retinaculum, the carpal tunnel contains the median nerve and the tendons of the:

• Flexor Digitorum Superficialis

• Flexor Digitorum Profundus

• Flexor Pollicis Longus

Just medial to the carpal tunnel, the ulnar nerve and ulnar artery pass through a separate space called Guyon's canal.

Ligaments and Innervation

Strong ligaments, including the palmar radiocarpal ligaments, palmar ulnocarpal ligaments, and palmar intercarpal ligaments stabilize the palmar surface or the anterior region of wrist.

Cutaneous innervation to the skin of this region comes from the palmar cutaneous branches of the median and ulnar nerves. Additionally, the medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves (from the forearm) provide sensation to the medial and lateral aspects of the palmar carpal region.