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@danielscott.4310 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.
10 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.
10 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!
10 months ago