The carpal tunnel is a narrow space in the wrist in which the median nerve runs from the forearm to the hand. Several tendons also pass through this space, each with a special slippery covering that allows the tendons to glide smoothly as the fingers are moved. In a normal wrist, there is adequate room in the carpal tunnel for both the tendons and the nerve. When the median nerve becomes compressed, however, carpal tunnel syndrome is the result.