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What is a funny bone? |
Inside the Body
What is the funniest thing about the funny bone? – That it is not a bone at all!
If you’ve ever bumped your elbow in a certain spot and ended up with a brief tingly feeling running up and down your arm, then you’ve probably been told that you “bumped your funny bone.”
Although the “funny bone” is the informal term often used to describe this part of the body, the actual funny feeling that it refers to comes from a nerve and not a bone!
Nerves are like little messengers that send information between your brain and your body. Arms have three main nerves and its one of these, known as the ulnar nerve, that causes the “funny bone” feeling when it’s bumped! One of the things the ulnar nerve controls is the feeling in your pinky and 4th fingers, as well as the back of your hand, and so when you bump your funny bone, it’s often these areas that get the funny feeling!
Even though your “funny bone” doesn't have anything to do with your sense of humor, people often act like it does. For example, someone who really likes your joke might say you really “tickled their funny bone!”
What are some of your favorite jokes to tell? Ask your friends and family what their favorite jokes are, and then tell them one or two of your favorites!
With all that laughing, do you ever feel it in your funny bone??
