Oftentimes when we cry, we feel a lump in the throat. Does a lump actually form, or is there some other explanation?
很多时候，当我们哭泣时，我们会感到哽咽。难道是真的在喉咙中形成了块状物？或是有其它的解释？
Explanation
解释
The lump-like thing we feel when overcome by emotion has to do with how the nervous system deals with stress. The part of the nervous system that handles stress is called the autonomic nervous system. It controls bodily functions that we do not consciously control, such as digesting food and pumping blood through the heart. However, the autonomic nervous system is also important in dealing with emotional states.
我们被情绪占据时所感受到的结块一样的东西与神经系统处理紧张的方式有关。神经系统中处理紧张的部分叫作自主神经系统。它能控制我们无意识地去控制的一些身体功能，比如消化食物和心脏泵血。但是，自主神经系统却在处理情绪状态时非常重要。
When an animal encounters a stressful situation, its autonomic nervous system kicks in to allow it to either fight or run away. It does this by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the necessary muscles. The same applies to humans. Even when we experience emotions such as grief or sorrow, the autonomic nervous system responds as it would to anger or fear by increasing the flow of oxygen through the body.
当动物面临紧张情境时，自主神经系统开始起作用，使动物选择战斗或是逃跑。这是通过增加输送至必要部位肌肉的血流和氧气来实现的。同样的情况也适用于人类。即使我们怀揣着悲伤或伤感这类情绪时，自主神经系统也能作出响应，一如它在处理愤怒和恐惧那样增加全身的氧气输送量。
Oxygen Intake
氧气摄入
To increase oxygen intake, the autonomic nervous system makes us breath faster, and expands the glottis, the opening in the throat that allows air to flow from the larynx to the lungs. The expansion of the glottis in and of itself does not create a lumpy feeling, until we try to swallow. Since swallowing involves closing the glottis, this works against the muscles that open the glottis in response to crying. We experience the resulting muscle tension as a lump in the throat.
为了增加氧气的吸入量，自主神经系统促使我们呼吸加快，同时使声门（喉管中气流进入肺部的开口处）扩张。除非我们进行吞咽动作，不然声门的扩张本身不会让我们产生哽咽的感觉。因为吞咽涉及到声门的关闭，这与哭泣时开启声门的肌肉响应动作相反。这时我们感觉到肌肉紧张，也就是喉中哽咽的感觉。 |