Which structure does the median nerve pass through to enter the palm?

The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel to enter the palm. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of the wrist, surrounded by bones and ligaments. Within this tunnel, the median nerve travels alongside the flexor tendons and is responsible for the sensory and motor innervation of the palm and fingers.

This configuration is critical for the function of the hand, as the median nerve innervates several muscles involved in fine motor skills and provides sensation to parts of the hand, particularly the thumb, index, middle finger, and part of the ring finger. Entrapment or compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel can lead to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, which highlights the importance of this structure in clinical practice.

The other structures mentioned do not serve as pathways for the median nerve to enter the palm. The cubital fossa is associated with the cubital region of the arm and the elbow joint, while the dorsal radiocarpal ligament relates to stabilization on the dorsal side of the wrist. The anatomical snuffbox is a space on the lateral aspect of the wrist associated with certain tendons and arteries but not a conduit for the median nerve.