Hitting your funny bone actually has nothing to do with bones at all, but is rather the painful compression of the ulnar nerve against the humerus where it passes near the surface of the elbow.

A closer look

Hitting your funny bone actually has nothing to do with bones at all, but is rather the painful compression of the ulnar nerve against the humerus where it passes near the surface of the elbow. Because this major nerve is completely unprotected by muscle or fat in this specific spot, bumping it instantly sends a chaotic shockwave of tingling agony directly down your forearm and into your pinky finger. Naming this excruciating neurological short-circuit the funny bone is arguably the most sadistic practical joke ever played by early anatomists. There is absolutely zero comedy involved in accidentally tapping your elbow on a doorframe and experiencing a sudden loss of motor control accompanied by the sensation of localized electrocution