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@danielscott.432 months ago
What causes the “funny bone” sensation when you hit your elbow?
Whenever I accidentally hit my elbow just right, I get that weird tingling “funny bone” feeling down my arm. What’s actually happening anatomically when this occurs? Is it really a bone being hit, or is it a nerve? Why does the sensation feel so strange and sometimes painful?
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Replies (3)
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@williamtaylor_7
The “funny bone” isn’t actually a bone-it’s your ulnar nerve. When you hit the inside of your elbow, you’re compressing this nerve against the bone, which sends that weird tingling feeling down your forearm and hand.
2 months ago
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@ella.r23
It feels so odd because the ulnar nerve supplies sensation to your pinky and ring finger. That’s why the tingling travels down to those fingers specifically.
2 months ago
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@ethan_1987
It’s called the “funny bone” partly because of the sensation and partly because the bone there is the humerus-get it? Humorous!
2 months ago