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Hiccup
A hiccup (scientific name singultus, from Latin for "sob, hiccup"; also spelled hiccough) is an involuntary contraction (myoclonic jerk) of the diaphragm that may repeat several times per minute. The hiccup is an involuntary action involving a reflex arc. Once triggered, the reflex causes a strong contraction of the diaphragm followed about a quarter of a second later by closure of the epiglottis,[citation needed] a structure inside of the throat, which results in the "hic" sound.
Hiccups may occur individually or in bouts. The rhythm of the hiccup, or the time between hiccups, tends to be relatively constant. A bout of hiccups generally resolves itself without intervention, although many home remedies are often used to attempt to shorten the duration. Medical treatment is occasionally necessary in cases of chronic hiccups.
Hiccups affect people of all ages, even being observed in utero. They become less frequent with advancing age. Intractable hiccups, lasting more than a month, are more common in adults. While males and females are affected equally often, men are more likely to develop protracted and intractable hiccups.
Along with humans, hiccups have been studied and observed in cats, rats, rabbits, dogs, and horses.
A hiccup consists of a single or a series of breathing diaphragm spasms, of variable spacing and duration, and a brief (less than one half second), unexpected, shoulder, abdomen, throat, or full body tremor.
Several human conditions can trigger hiccups. In rare cases, they can be a sign of serious medical problems such as myocardial infarction.
A leading hypothesis is that hiccups evolved to facilitate greater milk consumption in young mammals. The coordination of breathing and swallowing during suckling is complicated. Some air inevitably enters the stomach, occupying space that could otherwise be optimally used for calorie-rich milk.
The hypothesis suggests that the presence of an air bubble in the stomach stimulates the sensory (afferent) limb[further explanation needed] of the reflex through receptors in the stomach, esophagus, and along the underside of the diaphragm. This triggers the active part of the hiccup (efferent limb), sharply contracting the muscles of breathing and relaxing the muscles of the esophagus, then closing the vocal cords to prevent air from entering the lungs. This creates suction in the chest, pulling air from the stomach up into the esophagus. As the respiratory muscles relax, the air is expelled through the mouth, effectively "burping" the animal.
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Hiccup AI simulator
(@Hiccup_simulator)
Hiccup
A hiccup (scientific name singultus, from Latin for "sob, hiccup"; also spelled hiccough) is an involuntary contraction (myoclonic jerk) of the diaphragm that may repeat several times per minute. The hiccup is an involuntary action involving a reflex arc. Once triggered, the reflex causes a strong contraction of the diaphragm followed about a quarter of a second later by closure of the epiglottis,[citation needed] a structure inside of the throat, which results in the "hic" sound.
Hiccups may occur individually or in bouts. The rhythm of the hiccup, or the time between hiccups, tends to be relatively constant. A bout of hiccups generally resolves itself without intervention, although many home remedies are often used to attempt to shorten the duration. Medical treatment is occasionally necessary in cases of chronic hiccups.
Hiccups affect people of all ages, even being observed in utero. They become less frequent with advancing age. Intractable hiccups, lasting more than a month, are more common in adults. While males and females are affected equally often, men are more likely to develop protracted and intractable hiccups.
Along with humans, hiccups have been studied and observed in cats, rats, rabbits, dogs, and horses.
A hiccup consists of a single or a series of breathing diaphragm spasms, of variable spacing and duration, and a brief (less than one half second), unexpected, shoulder, abdomen, throat, or full body tremor.
Several human conditions can trigger hiccups. In rare cases, they can be a sign of serious medical problems such as myocardial infarction.
A leading hypothesis is that hiccups evolved to facilitate greater milk consumption in young mammals. The coordination of breathing and swallowing during suckling is complicated. Some air inevitably enters the stomach, occupying space that could otherwise be optimally used for calorie-rich milk.
The hypothesis suggests that the presence of an air bubble in the stomach stimulates the sensory (afferent) limb[further explanation needed] of the reflex through receptors in the stomach, esophagus, and along the underside of the diaphragm. This triggers the active part of the hiccup (efferent limb), sharply contracting the muscles of breathing and relaxing the muscles of the esophagus, then closing the vocal cords to prevent air from entering the lungs. This creates suction in the chest, pulling air from the stomach up into the esophagus. As the respiratory muscles relax, the air is expelled through the mouth, effectively "burping" the animal.