Hiccup

A hiccup (scientific name singultus, from Latin for 'sob, hiccup'; also spelled hiccough) is an involuntary contraction (myoclonic jerk) of the diaphragm that may repeat several times per minute. The hiccup is an involuntary action involving a reflex arc. Once triggered, the reflex causes a contraction of the diaphragm followed by the closure of the glottis, the space between the vocal cords, in about 35 milliseconds, which results in the "hic" sound. Hiccups may occur individually or in bouts. The rhythm of the hiccup, or the time between hiccups, tends to be relatively constant. A bout of hiccups generally resolves itself without intervention, although many home remedies are often used to attempt to shorten the duration. Medical treatment is occasionally necessary in cases of chronic hiccups.