Dimdima
Online Children's Magazine from India
Frequently, people who have lost a limb either through an accident or amputation have the feeling that they still possess the limb even years afterwards.
This phenomenon is known as the 'phantom limb'.
One man who had had his right leg amputated at the age of 14, could sense the presence of the limb even 34 years later! He claimed he could stretch it and wriggle his toes. Sometimes it would itch and he would attempt to scratch it.
Another man felt excruciating pain in the 'phantom limb' for more than 15 years after it had been amputated.
In the case of some amputees who have lost an arm, the phantom limb appears to grow shorter and shorter as the years go by till finally the person gets the feeling that the palm and fingers are attached to the shoulder.
What's the explanation for the phantom limb? It is thought that the phenomenon occurs because the severed nerves in the body continue to send signals to the brain. The brain out of habit continues to interpret these signals as coming from the arm or leg these nerves used to serve.
EXPLORE MORE...
Get Help or Give Help.
- Do you have a Science Question?
- Post it here and get the answer.
- Some questions posted by others are not yet answered.
- View those questions and answer them.
Dimdima is the Sanskrit word for ‘drumbeat’. In olden days, victory in battle was heralded by the beat of drums or any important news to be conveyed to the people used to be accompanied with drumbeats.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
K. M Munshi Marg,
Chowpatty, Mumbai - 400 007
email : editor@dimdima.com
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
505, Sane Guruji Marg,
Tardeo, Mumbai - 400 034
email : promo@dimdima.com
Dimdima.com, the Children's Website of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan launched in 2000 and came out with a Printed version of Dimdima Magazine in 2004. At present the Printed Version have more than 35,000 subscribers from India and Abroad.