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Grades K–2 · Organisms

Why does skin sometimes get little goosebumps?

When you feel cold or have a strong feeling, little bumps may appear on your skin. Tiny hairs can stand more upright at the same time.

F040 visual explanationA tiny muscle raises a hair and nearby skin; muscle relaxed; muscle tightens; a small muscle pull changes the hair angleA tiny muscle raises a hair and nearby skinmuscle relaxedmuscle tightensa small muscle pull changes the hair angle

In the diagramA tiny muscle raises a hair and nearby skinmuscle relaxedmuscle tightensa small muscle pull changes the hair angle

An enlarged skin section compares a slanting hair with a raised hair pulled by a small attached muscle. The surface rises into a goosebump.

A small muscle is attached near the base of each of many hairs. Signals from nerves can make that muscle tighten. Its pull changes the hair’s angle and makes the nearby skin rise a little.

Animals with thick fur can trap more air when their hairs stand up. People have much less body hair, so goosebumps do not make a useful thick coat. The bumps show that small muscles under the skin have acted.

About this explanation

Starting knowledge: Recognize tiny body hairs and the skin they grow from.

Sources

  • National Institutes of Health — What goosebumps are for
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