entrapment of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, which is formed by the flexor retinaculum and the carpal bones; this syndrome may be associated with repetitive occupational trauma, wrist injuries, amyloid neuropathies, rheumatoid arthritis, acromegaly, pregnancy, and other conditions; symptoms include burning pain and paresthesias involving the ventral surface of the hand and fingers which may radiate proximally; impairment of sensation in the distribution of the median nerve and thenar muscle atrophy may occur.