Why does a person with carpal tunnel syndrome experience decreased touch sensitivity specifically in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, rather than the entire hand?

💡 Explanation

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the median nerve, which provides sensory innervation primarily to the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Therefore, the reduced sensitivity is specific to those digits because the compression of the median nerve selectively impacts those areas, rather than affecting the entire hand. The ulnar nerve innervates the ring and little fingers.

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