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[[Image:2003-09-17_Goose_bumps.jpg|thumb|right|Goose bumps on a person's arm]] |
[[Image:2003-09-17_Goose_bumps.jpg|thumb|right|Goose bumps on a person's arm]] |
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'''Goose bumps''', also called '''goose flesh''', '''goose pimples''', '''chill bumps''', '''chicken skin''', or the medical term '''''cutis anserina''''', are the bumps on a person's [[skin]] at the base of body [[hair]]s which may involuntarily develop when a person is cold or experiences strong emotions such as [[fear]], [[awe]], [[admiration]] or sexual arousal. The [[reflex]] of producing goose bumps is known as '''horripilation''', '''piloerection''', or the '''pilomotor reflex'''. It occurs not only in humans but also in many other [[mammal]]s; a prominent example are [[porcupine]]s which raise their quills when threatened, or [[sea otter]]s when they encounter sharks or other predators. Goose bumps do not appear on |
'''Goose bumps''', also called '''goose flesh''', '''goose pimples''', '''chill bumps''', '''chicken skin''', or the medical term '''''cutis anserina''''', are the bumps on a person's [[skin]] at the base of body [[hair]]s which may involuntarily develop when a person is cold or experiences strong emotions such as [[fear]], [[awe]], [[admiration]] or sexual arousal. The [[reflex]] of producing goose bumps is known as '''horripilation''', '''piloerection''', or the '''pilomotor reflex'''. It occurs not only in humans but also in many other [[mammal]]s; a prominent example are [[porcupine]]s which raise their quills when threatened, or [[sea otter]]s when they encounter sharks or other predators. Goose bumps do not appear on the face. |
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== Etymology == |
== Etymology == |
Revision as of 02:45, 14 October 2010
Goose bumps, also called goose flesh, goose pimples, chill bumps, chicken skin, or the medical term cutis anserina, are the bumps on a person's skin at the base of body hairs which may involuntarily develop when a person is cold or experiences strong emotions such as fear, awe, admiration or sexual arousal. The reflex of producing goose bumps is known as horripilation, piloerection, or the pilomotor reflex. It occurs not only in humans but also in many other mammals; a prominent example are porcupines which raise their quills when threatened, or sea otters when they encounter sharks or other predators. Goose bumps do not appear on the face.
Etymology
The "goose bumps" (also "gooseflesh", "goosepimples" or "chicken skin") effect gets its name from geese. Goose feathers grow from stores in the epidermis which resemble human follicles. When a goose's feathers are plucked, its skin has protrusions where the feathers were, and it is these bumps which the human phenomenon resemble. The term "goose bumps" is misleading because the bumps on a goose's skin does not qualify as piloerection, though birds do have the same reflex of extending their feathers out, a function of keeping themselves warm.
It is not clear why in English the particular fowl goose was chosen, as most other birds have this same anatomical feature. Some authors have applied "goose bumps" to the symptoms of sexually-transmitted diseases.[1] Certainly being "bitten by a Winchester goose" was a common euphemism for syphilis[2] in the 16th century.[3] "Winchester geese" was the nickname for the prostitutes of South London,[4] licenced by the Bishop of Winchester in the area around his London palace.
However this seductive etymology does not explain why other languages use the same bird as English. "Goose skin" is used in German (Gänsehaut), Italian (la pelle d'oca), Russian (гусиная кожа), Polish (gęsia skórka), Czech (husí kůže), Danish (gåsehud) and Hungarian (libabőr). In other languages, however, the "goose" may be replaced by other kinds of poultry. For instance, "hen" is used in Spanish (piel de gallina), Portuguese (pele de galinha), Romanian (piele de găină) and French (chair de poule). "Chicken" is used in Dutch (kippenvel), Chinese (雞皮疙瘩, lit. lumps on chicken skin) and Afrikaans (hoendervleis). In Hindi/Urdu it is called rongtey khade ho jaana.The equivalent Japanese term, 鳥肌, torihada, translates literally as "bird skin". In Arabic, it is called kash'arirah, in Hebrew it is called simply "duck skin" (עור ברווז).
The same effect is manifested in the root word "horror" in English, which is derived from Latin horrere, which means "to bristle", and "be horrified", because of the accompanying hair reaction.
Anatomy and biology
Goose bumps are created when tiny muscles at the base of each hair, known as arrectores pilorum, contract and pull the hair erect. The reflex is started by the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for many fight-or-flight responses.
As a response to cold: in animals covered with fur or hair, the erect hairs trap air to create a layer of insulation. Goose bumps can also be a response to anger or fear: the erect hairs make the animal appear larger, in order to intimidate enemies. This can be observed in the intimidation displays of chimpanzees,[5] in stressed mice[6] and rats, and in frightened cats. In humans, it can even extend to piloerection as a reaction to hearing nails scratch on a chalkboard, listening to awe-inspiring music,[7] or feeling or remembering strong and positive emotions (e.g., after winning a sports event).[8] Some people can will themselves to have goose bumps any time they want.[citation needed]
Piloerection as a response to cold or emotion is vestigial in humans; as humans retain only very little body hair, the reflex (in humans) now provides no known benefit.
In humans, goose bumps are strongest on the forearms, but also occur on the legs, neck, and other areas of the skin that have hair. In some people, they even occur in the face or on the head. In humans, the areolas of the breasts of females typically show piloerection because of hormonal distribution, for example, when aroused or inside the maternity cycle.
Piloerection is also a classic symptom of some diseases, such as temporal lobe epilepsy, some brain tumors, and autonomic hyperreflexia. Goose bumps can also be caused by withdrawal from opiates such as heroin. A skin condition that mimics goose bumps in appearance is keratosis pilaris.
Hypothetical explanation
As with birds fluffing their feathers, the hair follicles contract causing the hair (feather) to stand on end. The contraction relaxes and the hairs (feathers) fall into place and align with one another, forming a better insulated coat (and aerodynamics for birds). On thicker furred animals, this realignment of the coat may provide protection during fights and/or hunts, as well as make the animal seem larger to the enemy, which could explain why humans experience this upon being frightened. This would be especially important in haired marine mammals to trap air between the hairs.[citation needed]. The marine past of early humans has been discussed by Desmond Morris and other ethologists[9].
Positive effects
Goose bumps being a form of nervous stimuli, it is in theory, a state that can alter certain unpleasant nervous conditions. It is assumed a positive feeling of awe that it can emulate may in a sense be a diminishing factor of certain stressful conditions such as paranoia, or short-term panic attacks caused by various forms of phobia.
See also
References
- ^ Roberts, Chris (2004), Heavy words lightly thrown: the reason behind the rhyme, Granta, p. 24, ISBN 9781862077652
- ^ Buret, Frédéric (1895), Syphilis to-day and among the ancients v. 2-3, p. 48
{{citation}}
: Text "publisher: F.A. Davis" ignored (help) - ^ Buret, Frédéric (1895), Syphilis to-day and among the ancients v. 1, p. 62
{{citation}}
: Text "publisher: F.A. Davis" ignored (help) dates the aforementioned manuscript to the 16th century - ^ Wabuda, Susan (2002), Preaching during the English Reformation, Cambridge studies in early modern British history, Cambridge University Press, p. 127, ISBN 9780521453950
- ^ Martin Muller and John Mitan. Conflict and Cooperation in Wild Chimpanzees. Advances in the Study of Behavior, vol. 35
- ^ Masuda et al. Developmental and pharmacological features of mouse emotional piloerection. Experimental Animals, 1999 Jul;48(3):209-11. PMID 10480027
- ^ David Huron. Biological Templates for Musical Experience: From Fear to Pleasure. Abstract
- ^ George A. Bubenik. Why do humans get "goosebumps" when they are cold, or under other circumstances? [1]
- ^ Morris, D. The Naked Ape