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DrHiccups

How a Hiccup Happens

A 20-second animated explainer, shown in slow motion. Captions are on by default.

Interactive version

How a hiccup happens: animated diagram A simplified side view of the chest and upper abdomen. The diaphragm, a dome-shaped breathing muscle under the lungs, suddenly contracts. Air is pulled in, then the vocal cords briefly close, which makes the hic sound. Chest Lungs Windpipe Nerve signal Diaphragm Upper abdomen Vocal cords (schematic view) HIC! Slow motion That sudden contraction and vocal cord closure create the familiar hic sound. DrHiccups Understand Hiccups. Find Relief. Know When to Get Help. drhiccups.com

Then the vocal cords briefly snap shut, cutting off the incoming air.

Video version

The video has burned-in captions and no narration. Subtitles are also available as WebVTT and SRT. The “Read aloud” button in the interactive version uses your device’s own voice.

Transcript

  1. This is a simplified side view of the chest and upper abdomen.
  2. Below the lungs sits the diaphragm, the main muscle used for breathing.
  3. In a hiccup, the diaphragm suddenly contracts without you choosing to. Air is pulled in quickly. (Shown in slow motion.)
  4. Then the vocal cords briefly snap shut, cutting off the incoming air.
  5. That sudden contraction and vocal cord closure create the familiar hic sound.
  6. DrHiccups. Understand Hiccups. Find Relief. Know When to Get Help.

This is a simplified teaching diagram, shown in slow motion. A real hiccup takes a fraction of a second. Learn more in Why do hiccups happen?