2006-06-13 01:55:57 · 10 answers · asked by Sher1054 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Why don抰 people get goose bumps on their face?
Goose bumps are caused by little muscles in the skin called erector pilae.
Each of these muscles is attached to a hair follicle. So, when the muscle
contracts, the hair stands up straight. In many animals this provides
extra insulation by trapping air between the hairs, or makes the animals
look slightly larger by causing all its hairs to stand out (which can be
useful when the animal is threatened and wants to make itself look as big
and mean as possible). In humans the same phenomenon is going on, except
that our hair is not thick enough to make a real difference for insulation
or for threats. Still, the erector pilae involuntarily contract when we
are cold or frightened and give us goose bumps.
There are, however, several parts of the body where the skin does not
possess erector pilae muscles. These are usually areas where the skin is
serving other functions, such as the grasping function of the palms. In
the face, we still have erector pilae like muscles, except that they have
grown much larger. Collectively, these muscles are known as the muscles of
facial expression. In most animals, their main job it to aid in chewing
and keeping the mouth closed. They still serve these functions in humans,
but they also allow us to smile, frown and make a number of other faces to
convey emotion. So, we don抰 get goose bumps on our face because the skin
muscles have other, more important, functions in that area.
2006-06-13 02:08:04 · answer #1 · answered by Cecilia D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do. I get goose bumps there all the time.
But it was to do with the hair follicles.
2006-06-13 08:58:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is an excellent question! Really, I never thought of that before. I wish I knew the answer, I'm gonna ask my doctor next time I go!
2006-06-13 08:58:08 · answer #3 · answered by urmysunshine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we don't have long hairs on our faces, except for men ofcourse, and we have a thick layer of skin, with thick blood, so we go pale instead
2006-06-13 08:59:26 · answer #4 · answered by Bigeyedbeauty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm...very interesting!! Definately a head-scratcher! LOL Never thought about that before.
2006-06-13 08:59:04 · answer #5 · answered by Jenn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is so weird I never noticed that before, Maybe out skin on aout face is to soft.
2006-06-13 08:59:01 · answer #6 · answered by charliesangel_84 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what's goose bumps mean?
2006-06-13 09:02:34 · answer #7 · answered by Zorrow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question!
2006-06-13 08:57:50 · answer #8 · answered by jimi p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i always thought it was because other than facial hair we dont have hair folicles that are on the arms and legs on our face
2006-06-13 08:58:49 · answer #9 · answered by Angela T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, but I'm really glad we don't.
2006-06-13 08:58:18 · answer #10 · answered by cucumberlarry1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋