What is Guyon canal syndrome?

Guyon canal syndrome is a relatively rare peripheral ulnar neuropathy that involves injury to the distal portion of the ulnar nerve as it travels through a narrow anatomic corridor at the wrist. The ulnar nerve originates from C8-T1 and is a terminal branch of the brachial plexus.

What causes Guyon’s canal syndrome?

Guyon’s canal syndrome has several causes. Overuse of the wrist from heavy gripping, twisting, and repeated wrist and hand motions can cause symptoms. Working with the hand bent down and outward can squeeze the nerve inside Guyon’s canal. Constant pressure on the palm of the hand can produce symptoms.

What are the contents of Guyon’s canal?

Description. The Guyon canal houses the ulnar nerve and its branches, ulnar artery and venous and lymphatic vessels. As the ulnar nerve exits the Guyon’s canal it is divided into deep (motor) branch of the ulnar nerve and superficial (sensory) branch of the ulnar nerve.

What nerve runs through the Guyon tunnel?

ulnar nerve
The ulnar nerve and ulnar artery pass through the Guyon canal as they pass from distal forearm to the hand.

What forms the tunnel of Guyon?

Guyon’s canal, also less frequently known as ulnar tunnel or canal, is a fibro-osseous tunnel extending from the transverse carpal ligament at the proximal aspect of the pisiform to the origin of the hypothenar muscles at the hook of hamate.

Where is the ulnar nerve being compressed at Guyon’s canal?

The condition occurs when the ulnar nerve, the nerve that travels across the elbow from the shoulder to the hand, is compressed as it goes from the wrist into the hand through a space known as Guyon’s canal. Ulnar nerve damage stops or slows down signals that are being sent across the nerve to the hand.

What forms roof of Guyon’s canal?

It is formed by the following structures: The volar portion/roof of the canal is created by the volar carpal ligament (also known as the palmar carpal ligament). The transverse carpal ligament forms the dorsal portion/floor of the canal.

Where is the tunnel of Guyon?

The ulnar canal or ulnar tunnel (also known as Guyon’s canal or tunnel) is a semi-rigid longitudinal canal in the wrist that allows passage of the ulnar artery and ulnar nerve into the hand.

Why is it called hypothenar?

The word “thenar” means fleshy mounds. In human anatomy, the word thenar associates with the two fleshy mounds located in the palmar surface of the hand. These thenar mounds are called the thenar eminence and the hypothenar eminence.

What is the function of hypothenar muscles?

The function of the hypothenar muscles is to contribute to the variety of movements of the little finger; flexion, abduction, lateral rotation, and opposition.

How many muscles are in the hypothenar?

The hypothenar eminence is made up of four muscles, but there are only three primary muscles. The four muscles are the abductor digiti minimi muscle, the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle, the opponens digiti minimi muscle, and the palmaris brevis muscle.

What nerve causes hypothenar atrophy?

“Hypothenar atrophy” is associated with the lesion of the ulnar nerve, which supplies the three hypothenar muscles. Hypothenar hammer syndrome is a vascular occlusion of this region.

What causes pain in hypothenar?

Introduction. The hypothenar eminence is the fleshy mass at the medial side of the palm. Hypothenar eminence pain or tenderness is quite common. Acute pain may be due to a fracture or dislocation of the pisiform bone or a fracture of the hook of the hamate.

What are the names of the hypothenar muscles?

The hypothenar muscles are the four short muscles of the medial (ulnar) palmar compartment of the hand. From superficial to deep, the hypothenar muscles are: palmaris brevis, abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi, and opponens digiti minimi muscles.

What are hypothenar muscles?