Bumping your “funny bone” is anything but funny – in fact, it really hurts! Adding to the confusion, it’s not even a bone. So, why do they call this sensitive spot on your elbow a “funny bone”?
The term “funny bone” refers to the ulnar nerve, one of the major nerves in your arm. This nerve travels from your shoulder down into your hand, passing closely behind the elbow joint. At this elbow point, the ulnar nerve is quite exposed as it runs between the humerus (the bone in your upper arm) and the skin, with very little muscle or fat to protect it.
When you strike your “funny bone,” you’re actually hitting or compressing this unprotected ulnar nerve against the humerus. This impact causes a shock to the nerve, which then sends signals to your brain that are interpreted as pain, tingling, and numbness that can extend down into your hand.
So, if it’s a nerve and not funny, where did the name “funny bone” come from? There are a couple of interesting theories about the origin of this quirky name. The first theory is a play on words. The bone in your upper arm is called the humerus. “Humorous” and “humerus” sound similar, and “humorous” describes something funny. Therefore, “funny bone” could be a pun based on the humerus bone’s name.
Another possible explanation relates to the peculiar sensation itself. The tingling and numb feeling you get when you hit your ulnar nerve might be considered a strange or “funny” feeling, even though it’s not funny in the humorous sense. This odd and unusual sensation could have led people to start calling it the “funny bone.”
Whatever the true origin, the name “funny bone” has stuck. While it’s definitely not humorous when you bump it, understanding that it’s actually your ulnar nerve being irritated makes this common experience a little less mysterious, even if it doesn’t make it hurt any less!
