Funny

Funny bone

The Funny bone is a colloquial term for the ulnar nerve, a nerve that runs near the ulna bone. Despite its name, the funny bone is not actually a bone, but rather a nerve that runs from the neck to the hand. This nerve is responsible for transmitting signals to and from the brain to the fourth and fifth fingers, as well as part of the palm.

Anatomy

The ulnar nerve is one of the three main nerves in the arm. It travels from the neck down into the hand, and can be constricted in several places along the way, such as beneath the collarbone or at the wrist. The spot that's most commonly associated with the funny bone is the point where the nerve passes over the elbow joint.

Sensation

When the elbow is hit, the ulnar nerve gets compressed against the humerus, and this causes a tingling sensation or a kind of electric shock sensation to be felt in the forearm and the last two fingers of the hand. This sensation is often referred to as hitting one's "funny bone". The term "funny bone" is thought to be a pun, based on the sound resemblance between the name of the bone of the upper arm, the "humerus", and the word "humorous".

Clinical significance

Damage or injury to the ulnar nerve can cause a loss of sensation or movement in the hand and arm, and can lead to a condition known as ulnar nerve entrapment, which is characterized by tingling, numbness, and pain in the arm and hand.

See also

• Nervous system
• Ulnar nerve entrapment
• Humerus

References

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