Hi there! Have you ever wondered why we close our eyes when we sneeze? Let’s dive into this interesting question and find out!
First, let’s understand why we sneeze in the first place. Sneezing happens when something irritates the inside of our nose. This irritation sends signals to our brain, specifically to a part called the trigeminal nerve and the medulla. These signals tell our body to take a deep breath and then sneeze. During this process, our eyes automatically close.
There’s a popular myth that we close our eyes to prevent them from popping out when we sneeze. But don’t worry, that’s not true! In 1882, there was a report about a woman whose eyeball popped out after sneezing, but this is extremely rare and hasn’t been documented since. Our eye sockets and noses aren’t connected in a way that would cause our eyes to pop out, and the muscles around our eyes aren’t strong enough to prevent it anyway.
Experts believe that closing our eyes when we sneeze is actually a reflex. This means it’s an automatic response that happens without us thinking about it. When our brain sends the sneeze signal, it also tells the muscles around our eyes to close. This is similar to how other muscles in our body, like those in our diaphragm, abdomen, and back, tighten during a sneeze.
Another reason we might close our eyes is to protect them from the particles and mucus that come out when we sneeze. Sneezes can travel at speeds of 10 to 40 miles per hour, so closing our eyes might help keep them safe from any flying debris.
Interestingly, some people can sneeze with their eyes open! It’s not very common, but it does happen.
Thanks for exploring this big question with us! If you have any other questions you’re curious about, feel free to ask. See you next time!
Imagine you’re a scientist studying the sneeze reflex. Create a simple diagram showing the process of sneezing, from the irritation in the nose to the closing of the eyes. Label each part of the process and explain why each step happens. Share your diagram with the class and discuss how the reflex helps protect our eyes.
Work in pairs to create a short skit that debunks the myth about eyes popping out when sneezing. One of you will play the role of a curious student, and the other will be a scientist explaining the truth. Perform your skit for the class and be ready to answer any questions your classmates might have.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand how fast sneezes can travel. Use a spray bottle filled with water to simulate a sneeze, and measure how far the water droplets travel. Record your observations and compare them with the speeds mentioned in the article. Discuss why it’s important to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing.
Join a group discussion about different protective reflexes our bodies have, such as blinking, coughing, and sneezing. Share examples of when you’ve experienced these reflexes and discuss why they are important for our health and safety. Consider how these reflexes are similar to or different from the sneeze reflex.
Write a short story from the perspective of a sneeze traveling through the body. Describe the journey from the initial irritation in the nose to the explosive exit, including the closing of the eyes. Use creative language to make your story engaging and informative. Share your story with the class and enjoy listening to others’ imaginative tales.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, I’m Craig, and this is Mental Floss. Today, I’m going to answer Hegira Fatima’s big question: Why do we close our eyes when we sneeze? Let’s get started!
First, let’s talk about why we sneeze in general. Typically, it’s because the nasal mucosa in the nose gets irritated by something, which activates the trigeminal nerve and the medulla in the brain. These parts send signals throughout the body, prompting actions like filling the lungs with air and actually sneezing, as well as closing our eyes.
Now, back to the question: Why do we close our eyes when we sneeze? You’ve probably heard that our body does this to prevent our eyes from popping out. However, that’s a misconception.
In 1882, the New York Times reported an incident where a woman had her eyeball pop out after sneezing. This rare occurrence is known as “eyeball subluxation.” The story mentioned that while riding a streetcar, she was seized with a sudden fit of sneezing, which resulted in her suffering intense pain. However, this is an extremely rare event, and as far as we know, it hasn’t happened since.
There aren’t any muscles in our head designed to propel our eyeballs outward, and our eye sockets and noses aren’t connected. Additionally, if our eyeballs were to pop out for any reason, closing our eyelids wouldn’t prevent it, as those muscles are too weak.
So, while I am debunking that myth, it is important to note that experts believe closing our eyes during a sneeze is a reflex. When our cranial nerve sends out the sneeze signal, the muscles in our eyes are ordered to close. This makes sense, as they are just one of many muscles that contract during a sneeze. Other muscles that tighten include those in the diaphragm, abdomen, and back.
Another possibility is that we evolved this way to avoid getting mucus and other particles we’ve sneezed out in our eyes. This is significant because sneezes can travel at about 10 to 40 miles per hour. People used to think it was 100 miles per hour, but recent studies have shown it’s a bit slower than that.
By the way, you can sneeze with your eyes open; some people do!
Thanks for watching Mental Floss! If you have a big question of your own that you’d like answered, leave it below in the comments. See you next time!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Sneeze – A sudden, forceful burst of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, often caused by irritation in the nasal passages. – When dust enters the nose, it can cause a sneeze to expel the particles.
Eyes – Organs that detect light and allow vision, helping organisms to see their surroundings. – The eyes of a cat are adapted to see well in low light conditions.
Brain – The organ in an animal’s body that processes information and controls behavior, thoughts, and emotions. – The brain interprets signals from the eyes to help us understand what we see.
Reflex – An automatic and rapid response to a stimulus that does not involve conscious thought. – Touching a hot surface triggers a reflex that makes you pull your hand away quickly.
Muscles – Tissues in the body that have the ability to contract and produce movement or maintain the position of parts of the body. – Muscles in the arm contract to lift a heavy object.
Protect – To keep safe from harm or injury. – The skull helps protect the brain from injury.
Particles – Small pieces or fragments of matter, often too tiny to be seen with the naked eye. – Air filters in the lungs trap harmful particles to prevent them from entering the bloodstream.
Irritation – A condition of inflammation or discomfort in a body part, often caused by an external stimulus. – Smoke can cause irritation in the eyes, making them water.
Signals – Messages or impulses sent from one part of the body to another, often through the nervous system. – Nerve cells send signals to the brain to indicate pain or temperature changes.
Medulla – The lower part of the brainstem that controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. – The medulla regulates the breathing rate automatically without conscious thought.
