The Funny Bone Is NOT a Bone

We have all been through the insufferable shock-like pain when banging that spot on your elbow. We know it as the “funny bone”, however, it isn’t quite bone-like. In fact, it is much thinner and smaller and thankfully allows you to feel sensations, command, and move. Seemingly exhibiting a similar behaviour to nerves, well yes, the ‘‘funny bone'' is a nerve. More specifically this “funny bone” is the Ulnar nerve. The Ulnar nerve starts in the cervical spine in your neck and transfers to your collarbone, armpit, arm, and finally to the end of your fingertips. The Ulnar nerve is specifically conducted to provide sensation within your fingertips, help muscles for hand coordination, and help the muscles in your forearm to conduct a controlled grip.

As seen below in the picture the Ulnar nerve is surrounded by muscles, tendons, ligaments, and much more, which would make you think it is protected. However, we know this is not the case, as the nerve travels through the external extremities of these compartments. This makes it easy to feel that shock-like sensation when bumping against it.

Now we know that the human body still has numerous mysteries to be discovered.

Bibliography:

professional, Cleveland Clinic medical. “What Is Your Ulnar Nerve?” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21664-ulnar-nerve. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.

“What Is the Funny Bone?” The Hand Society, www.assh.org/handcare/blog/what-is-the-funny-bone. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.

“Why Does Hitting Your Funny Bone Hurt so Much?” Why Does Hitting Your Funny Bone Hurt So Much? | Houston Methodist, www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/feb/why-does-hitting-your-funny-bone-hurt-so-much/#:~:text=It%20turns%20out%20that%20your,It’s%20called%20the%20ulnar%20nerve. Accessed 20 Nov. 2023.