How many tendons are found in the carpal tunnel?

The carpal tunnel contains a total of 9 tendons. Specifically, it houses the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus tendons for each of the four fingers, which accounts for 8 tendons (2 for each finger), as well as the flexor pollicis longus tendon for the thumb, bringing the total to 9 tendons.

The presence of these 9 tendons is crucial for the movement of the fingers and thumb, allowing for flexion at the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. Understanding the anatomy and arrangement within the carpal tunnel is essential in relation to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, where compression of the median nerve occurs, impacting function.

The options that suggest other numbers of tendons do not accurately reflect the anatomical structure within the carpal tunnel as recognized in human anatomy.