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A total of nine flexor tendons (not the muscles themselves) pass through the carpal tunnel: 1  flexor digitorum profundus (four tendons) 2  flexor digitorum superficialis (four tendons)  flexor pollicis longus (one tendon)
The nerve also controls the muscles around the base of the thumb. The flexor tendons that bend the fingers and thumb also travel through the carpal tunnel. Cause of Carpal Tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tissues surrounding the flexor tendons in the wrist swell and put pressure on the median nerve.