What area is most likely to exhibit decreased sensation in a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome?

In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel, which is located on the palmar aspect of the wrist. The median nerve is responsible for sensory innervation to specific areas of the hand, particularly the palmar aspect of the lateral hand, which includes the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger.

Decreased sensation typically manifests in these areas because the median nerve is compromised in its function due to the entrapment. Therefore, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome commonly report numbness, tingling, or a loss of sensation in the palmar surface of the lateral hand.

Other areas mentioned would not exhibit decreased sensation due to median nerve involvement. The medial hand, for example, is primarily innervated by the ulnar nerve, which is not affected in carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly, the dorsal surface of the hand where the radial nerve provides sensation would also remain intact. Overall, the palmar surface of the lateral hand is the area most directly impacted by median nerve compression in this condition.