WordNet
n. a nerve running along the inner side of the arm and passing near the elbow; supplies intrinsic muscles of the hand and the skin of the medial side of the hand [syn: cubital nerve, nervus ulnaris]
Wikipedia
In human anatomy, the ulnar nerve is a nerve that runs near the ulna bone. The ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint is in relation with the ulnar nerve. The nerve is the largest unprotected nerve in the human body (meaning unprotected by muscle or bone), so injury is common. This nerve is directly connected to the little finger, and the adjacent half of the ring finger, supplying the palmar side of these fingers, including both front and back of the tips, perhaps as far back as the fingernail beds.
This nerve can cause an electric shock-like sensation by striking the medial epicondyle of the humerus from posteriorly, or inferiorly with the elbow flexed. The ulnar nerve is trapped between the bone and the overlying skin at this point. This is commonly referred to as bumping one's "funny bone". This name is thought to be a pun, based on the sound resemblance between the name of the bone of the upper arm, the " humerus" and the word " humorous". Alternatively, according to the Oxford English Dictionary it may refer to "the peculiar sensation experienced when it is struck".
Usage examples of "ulnar nerve".
Nerves that are particularly vulnerable to this include the ulnar nerve, which runs through the funny-bone channel in your elbow, and the peroneal nerve, which runs through a similar channel at the top of the fibula near the knee.
Then Morel splashed on a drop of liquid nickel, right next to the ulnar nerve terminal input and inside the hand.
Powell faked to the left, reversed, closed with Reich and delivered a six-inch jab to the ulnar nerve complex.
She tugged his elbow sharply, accidentally thumbing his ulnar nerve in the process.
Maijstral drew the deck down the inside of her forearm, moving gently but quite deliberately along the ulnar nerve.
Stars swarmed behind his eyes, and he cracked his left elbow squarely on the ulnar nerve - the ill-named funny bone - sending a disabling painful tingle the length of his arm.
Stars swarmed behind his eyes, and he cracked his left elbow squarely on the ulnar nerve—.
Do you know that the rammer was actually thrust right through between the head of the biceps, just missing the ulnar nerve?