During the Phalen's Test, the patient's palms should face in which direction?

In the Phalen's Test, the correct position for the patient's palms is with their palms facing away from each other. This is important because the test aims to elicit symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome by placing the wrist in a position that increases pressure on the median nerve. When the palms are turned away from each other, the wrists are flexed, which can provoke tingling or discomfort in individuals with median nerve compression.

The specific positioning helps in assessing the integrity of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel. This position mimics actions that can reproduce symptoms in someone who may have underlying issues with the nerve, thus providing a clear indication of possible carpal tunnel syndrome.