Goose flesh is a Pimply State of the Skin, Produced by Cold or Fright

Goose flesh is a Pimply State of the Skin, Produced by Cold or Fright

Goose flesh is the reaction of the skin to cold or fear. The blood vessels contract and the small muscle attached to the base of each hair follicle also contracts, causing the hairs to stand up: this gives the skin an appearance of plucked goose skin. That stimulus causes a nerve discharge from the sympathetic nervous system. The nerve discharge causes contraction of little muscles called the arrector pilorum (the hair erector muscles). Contraction of these muscles elevates the hair follicles above the rest of the skin. And it is these tiny elevations we perceive as goose bumps. Gooseflesh is also referred to as "goose bumps."