Hiccups:A hiccup is an extraordinary type ofrespiratorymovement involving a sudden inspiration (intake of air) due to aninvoluntarycontractionof the diaphragm accompanied by closure of theglottis(the vocal apparatus of thelarynx).
The abrupt inspiration is the result of a sudden contraction of the diaphragm. Closure of the glottis then halts the incoming air. The column of air strikes the closed glottis to produce the characteristic sound: a hiccup.
Hiccups are often rhythmic. They are usually just a小nuisance, but prolonged hiccups can become amajormedical problem.
The word "hiccup" wasinuse by 1530. It is an instance of onomatopoeia, the imitation of natural sounds by words. Alternative forms of "hiccups" include "hiccough" and "hickup."
