i have been wondering if there are a set number of nerves not for square inch but for...like one average person would have the same number of nerves as an incredibly short person or an incredibly tall person. So really if i pinch a person of the same age with different hieghts in the same spot, would it hurt the shorter one more? please if i am completely wrong don't be completly rude, i am only in the eighth grade...any help would be nice...thank you
2007-07-18 01:48:08 · 3 answers · asked by Tom 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The number of nerve endings is not constant from person to person. Rather, the number of nerve endings is relatively constant per unit area of skin. Thus, a very tall person actually has more total nerve endings, on average. In actuality, though, the number of nerve endings per unit area of skin also varies from person to person, but not in any way dependent on the person's total surface area of skin. The pinch will hurt more for the person with more nerve endings per unit area of skin, but there's no way to tell which person that would be based only on height. You may be able to guess based on weight, though. A very overweight person's skin gets stretched out a bit, causing there to be fewer nerve endings per unit area of skin.
2007-07-18 01:51:25 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not only how many nerves, but how sensitive they are that matters.
And then the pain is a perception related to how much damage is assumed by the brain; thus a pinch on two different people may be linked with the same damage assessment.
That said, the nerve endings per unit area bit does have some merit, and there has been some tests done, not with pain, but with perception, where two pins are used to prick skin, and noticing how close they have to be to be perceived as being only one. Rather than demonstrate the sensitivity of tall or short people, it was used to asses the sensitivity of different body parts. You are more sensitive in specific places (lips, palm of the hand) than others (back, middle of the arm).
2007-07-18 01:56:33 · answer #2 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, there is no difference in pain if you pinch a short or tall girl.
2007-07-18 01:53:50 · answer #3 · answered by potamal s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋