does carpal tunnel affect the motor or sensory pathways?

Answer 1

Carpal tunnel syndrome is due to compression of the median nerve, which has both motor and sensory components, at the wrist, usually by tightening of the flexor retinaculum, a fibrous band overlying the nerve at the wrist.

Answer 2

It can. What happens is that vessels that run through the carpal bones can become compressed cutting off/restricting nerves and blood vessels.