Blushing
Blushing
Blushing (/ˈblʌʃɪŋ/) is the involuntary reddening of a person's face due to emotional stress, such as feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or modest.
Etymology
The term "blushing" originates from the Old English word "blȳscan", which means to become red or to glow.
Definition
Blushing is a physiological response unique to humans and is triggered by a variety of emotional states. It is most commonly associated with embarrassment, but can also be caused by other emotions such as anger, surprise, or romantic attraction. The response is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which also governs other involuntary bodily functions.
Mechanism
When a person blushes, the sympathetic nervous system causes the blood vessels in the face to dilate, increasing blood flow to the skin and causing the characteristic red appearance. This is a type of vasodilation, a process that widens the blood vessels.
Related Terms
- Emotion: A complex state of feeling that results in physical and psychological changes that influence thought and behavior.
- Sympathetic nervous system: Part of the nervous system that serves to accelerate the heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and raise blood pressure.
- Vasodilation: The widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of the muscular wall of the vessels.
See Also
- Flushing (physiology): A temporary reddening of the skin, typically over the cheeks or neck.
- Social anxiety: A discomfort or a fear when a person is in a social interaction that involves a concern of being judged or evaluated by others.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blushing
- Wikipedia's article - Blushing
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