Goose egg

Goose Bump

A goose bump, also known as goose flesh, goose pimple, or horripilation, is a phenomenon that occurs when the body experiences strong emotions such as fear, awe, admiration, or cold. It is a temporary change in the skin's appearance, characterized by small elevations or bumps that resemble the skin of a plucked goose.

Physiology

Goose bumps are caused by the contraction of miniature muscles attached to each hair follicle. This process is known as piloerection. Each muscle fiber forms a microscopic arrector pili muscle, which is responsible for causing the hair to stand on end. This reaction is involuntary and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system.

Causes

Goose bumps can be triggered by a variety of factors. These include:

• Cold: In response to cold temperatures, the body will produce goose bumps in an attempt to create a layer of insulation. The standing hair traps air, creating a barrier between the cold air and the skin.

• Emotion: Strong emotions such as fear, awe, or admiration can also trigger goose bumps. This is thought to be a primitive response linked to our ancestors, who would have used this reaction as a warning sign to other members of their group.

• Music: Some people may experience goose bumps while listening to music. This is known as musical frisson and is thought to be linked to the brain's reward system.

Evolutionary Perspective

From an evolutionary perspective, goose bumps are believed to have served a number of purposes. In animals, the raising of hair is used as a defensive mechanism, making the animal appear larger and more intimidating to predators. In humans, this reaction is thought to have been used in a similar way, as well as to increase warmth by trapping a layer of air close to the skin.

See Also

• Skin
• Hair follicle
• Autonomic nervous system
• Sympathetic nervous system
• Piloerection
• Musical frisson