Expansion
Four flexor digitorum superficialis tendons, four flexor digitorum profundus tendons, one flexor pollicis longus tendon and the median nerve
Mnemonic
“9 tendons and 1 nerve”, counted as 4 + 4 + 1 + 1:
- 4 - flexor digitorum superficialis
- 4 - flexor digitorum profundus
- 1 - flexor pollicis longus
- 1 - median nerve
The ulnar nerve and artery run in Guyon’s canal, superficial to the retinaculum, so they are outside the tunnel and spared in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Expansion
- 4 - flexor digitorum superficialis tendons
- 4 - flexor digitorum profundus tendons
- 1 - flexor pollicis longus tendon
- 1 - median nerve
That is 9 tendons + 1 nerve = 10 structures. Flexor carpi radialis has its own compartment and is not counted inside the tunnel proper.