funnily enough, your funny bone isn’t a bone at all.
there’s a point where the ulnar nerve curves around the elbow joint and is essentially wedged between bone and skin. specifically, when the nerve reaches the elbow it goes through the cubital tunnel. this is a tunnel of tissue on the inside of the elbow under a bony portion of the humerus (your upper arm bone) called the medial epicondyle.
advertisement
cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition where the ulnar nerve is stretched or pinched easily and frequently, sometimes for extended periods of time. this condition can develop from regular movements where your elbow is bent, like spending large parts of the day making phone calls and holding your phone to your ear. but it can also be the result of abnormal bone growth in the elbow or from intense physical activity that increases pressure on the nerve (for example, baseball pitchers often have cubital tunnel syndrome).
and while the symptoms can be similar to those of hitting your funny bone — although they persist for longer and occur more frequently — some symptoms are more extreme, such as a decreased gripping-ability and difficulty controlling fingers for precise tasks.
it’s not entirely clear how the funny bone got its name, considering it isn’t a bone at all. but there seems to be two main competing theories. the first, is that it’s based on the “funny feeling” you get when you hit your elbow in that not-so-sweet spot. the second, is that it’s a play on words because the ulnar nerve runs along the upper arm bone called the humerus (sounds like “humorous”) that is between your elbow and shoulder.
advertisement