In 32 healthy volunteers aged between 10 and 72 years the orthodromic and the antidromic sensory nerve conduction in the median nerve have been studied. Normal values for conduction velocities and for the configuration of the orthodromic nerve action potentials are described in detail. 26 patients suffering from a carpal tunnel syndrome have been examined both with the orthodromic and the antidromic method. It could be shown that the diagnostic yield of both methods is about the same for this special problem.