MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why does it hurt to hit your funny bone?

3d render human elbow with pain symptoms - side view - Grayscale Image

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why does it hurt to hit your funny bone?

It’s happened to everyone. It just happened to me the other day actually. You bang that little part of your elbow against something, “the funny bone”, and feel the weirdest sensation. But there is nothing funny about it. So why is it called that? and why does it happen?

The funny bone got its nickname because of that funny feeling that happens in your arm after you hit it. It’s usually a combination of tingling and numbness. It’s not actually a “bone” at all though. It’s a nerve which runs down the inside part of your elbow called the ulnar nerve. The purpose of the ulnar nerve is to let your brain know about feelings in your fourth and fifth fingers. That’s why you feel it there too sometimes if you really hit it hard.

 

Photo credit: Getty Images