Why Do Humans Have an 'Ugly Cry'?

When you cry, your face changes, your eyes get big, and your nose gets red. But when you really feel sad or angry, your whole face can twist into something that looks like a melted potato. Scientists call this an 'ugly cry.' It happens because your brain sends signals to the muscles in your face, making them move all at once. This kind of crying is more intense than normal tears and usually happens when we're very emotional.

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Examples

  1. Your sister cried so hard after failing her math test that her face looked like she had been hit by a pancake machine.
  2. You burst into tears at the end of your favorite movie, and your nose turned red while your eyes got huge and watery.
  3. Your dog made such a sad face when he lost his favorite toy that it looked like he was melting.

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Categories: Health · tears· emotions· face· human biology