tunnel

An elongated passageway, usually open at both ends.

- aortico-left ventricular t. congenital connection between the aorta above exit of coronary arteries and the left ventricle.

- carpal t. [TA] the passageway deep to the transverse carpal ligament between tubercles of the scaphoid and trapezoid bones on the radial side and the pisiform and hook of the hamate on the ulnar side, through which the median nerve and the flexor tendons of the fingers and thumb pass; compression of the median nerve may occur here (carpal t. syndrome). SYN: canalis carpi [TA], carpal canal (1).

- Corti t. the spiral canal in the organ of Corti, formed by the outer and inner pillar cells or rods of Corti; it is filled with fluid and occasionally crossed by nonmedullated nerve fibers. SYN: Corti canal.

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tun·nel 'tən-əl n a bodily channel see CARPAL TUNNEL

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n.

(in anatomy) a canal or hollow groove. See also carpal tunnel.

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tun·nel (tunґəl) a passageway through a solid body, completely enclosed except for the open ends, permitting entrance and exit. Cf. canal.