We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Why Is Hitting Your “Funny Bone” So Painful?

Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 3,384
References
Share

The only thing funny about your funny bone is that it's not a bone. That tender spot right by your elbow, which puts a grimace – not a grin – on your face when you hit it just right, is actually the location of easy exposure to your ulnar nerve, a bundle of fibers that runs from your spine to your ring and pinky fingers.

While the ulnar nerve is mostly protected by bone and muscle, there's that one spot on your arm where it's not. For that reason, if you strike it just right, you basically squish the nerve fibers against your medial epicondyle, resulting in that unnerving (no pun intended) feeling, which is somewhere between pain and numbness.

Luckily for most of us, the annoyance goes away pretty quickly, unless you happen to suffer from cubital tunnel syndrome. For those unfortunate souls, the feeling is much more common, occurring because they have kept their elbow in a bent position for too long or simply because they are more susceptible to the condition. In those cases, if some minor changes don't work – like putting on a splint to keep the arm straight during sleep – surgery might be necessary.

How well do you know your body?

  • Goosebumps developed early in human evolution as a way to make hair stand up, thus making a person seem larger and scarier to predators.

  • Yawns might be contagious, but science still doesn't know what they mean; the speculation is that yawning helps control body temperature.

  • A person's nostrils take turns handling breathing duties roughly every few hours.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://direct.wisegeek.com/why-is-hitting-your-funny-bone-so-painful.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.