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by Chopsy the Diver on June 30th, 2007
The reaction can be sometimes triggered within a few seconds after a very cold substance consumed comes into contact with the roof of the mouth. The body's response to cold environments is to vasoconstrict the peripheral vasculature (to reduce the diameter of blood vessels). This vasoconstriction is in place to reduce blood flow to the area, and thus minimize heat loss to keep warmth in the body. After vasoconstriction, they return to normal status and artery size results in massive dilation (vasodilation) of the arteries that supply the palate (descending palatine arteries). The nerves in the region of the palate (greater and lesser palatine nerves) sense this as pain and transmit the sensation of this pain back to the trigeminal ganglia. This results in pain that is referred to the forehead and below the orbit, other regions from which the trigeminal nerve receives sensation (This phenomenon is partially similar to the referred pain that is present in the left arm when someone is having a myocardial infarction). A similar effect occurs when one takes a prescription vasodilator, such as Nitroglycerin or Viagra. It is a stabbing or aching type of pain that usually recedes within 10–20 seconds after its onset, but sometimes 30–60 seconds, and can persist for up to five minutes in rare cases. The pain is usually located in the midfrontal area, but can be unilateral in the temporal, frontal, or retro-orbital regions :)
Is coffee too much of a jolt for the the brain in the morning
if your conscience about protecting it?
by CosmicWunderkind on September 4th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Why isn't there yet a defibrillator for the brain?
by Running, Fall Up on September 8th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
How are brain treiners(games like puzzels) good for you?
by greensnake21 on October 28th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Why human think topic remains within context (chat for example)?
by AeroDistrictSpoiler on November 16th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
When you see a picture of a brain, are you grossed out? Why or why not?
by AnonymousGirl on August 8th, 2011
| 10 people like this
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Comments
Thanks for your response.
by Highlander is semi-retired from AB on June 30th, 2007
Your welcome :D found question quite interesting so thankYOU!
by Chopsy the Diver on June 30th, 2007