Guyon's canal: ulnar nerve compression at the wrist

Guyon's canal is the passage of the ulnar nerve along the ulnar side of the wrist, between the pisiform and the hook of the hamate. This page shows its boundaries on the 3D model, how to locate it with ultrasound and how it differs anatomically from the carpal tunnel.

Anatomy of the passage

On the ulnar side of the wrist, the nerve passes through Guyon's canal, close to the pisiform and the hook of the hamate. Ganglion cysts, external pressure or local changes may affect it. The sensory or motor pattern depends on the relationship of the lesion to its bifurcation.

Nerve: Ulnar nerve: cubital tunnel and Guyon's canal
Frequency: Described site, less commonly seen.
Type of evidence: Anatomical and clinical review

References

Wu WT, Chang KV, Hsu YC, Tsai YY, Mezian K, Ricci V, Özçakar L. Ultrasound Imaging and Guidance for Distal Peripheral Nerve Pathologies at the Wrist/Hand. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023. PubMed 37296780 · DOI

Ultrasound landmarks

On the ulnar side of the wrist, the ulnar nerve and artery pass between the pisiform and the hook of the hamate, above the flexor retinaculum; distally the nerve divides into superficial and deep branches. The roof of the canal (palmar carpal ligament) is not segmented in this package.