Book 1, Question 9 · Video
Why Does Your Stomach Growl? The Rumbly Science!
Grrrowl! Your stomach muscles squeeze in waves to mix and move food along, and these waves are called peristalsis. When your stomach is empty, the squeeze waves travel through air
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does your stomach growl?
The Big Idea
Grrrr! Was that a lion? No, it's your tummy! That rumble comes from muscles squeezing inside you, Plus a little air. Let's find out what's happening inside!
Squeeze Waves
Step one: squeeze waves! Your stomach muscles squeeze food in wave-like motions, to mix it and break it down. These waves are called peristalsis!
Empty Tube
Step two: an empty tube! When your stomach is empty, there's more room. The squeeze waves keep going, but now they push through air and liquid instead of food. Air plus waves equals growl sounds!
Plus Air
Step three: plus air! You swallow little bits of air when you eat, drink, talk, and even breathe. That air hangs out in your stomach and intestines, So when the waves squeeze it, it gurgles. More air means more chances to hear a rumble!
A Closer Look
So, where does the growling start? In your stomach, squeeze waves mix food, or air when it's empty. Then the food moves into your small intestine, a long, twisty tube. The waves keep moving food along its journey, and lots of rumbles come from here too! And when you're hungry, extra-strong cleanup waves sweep through, so growls get louder!
Quick Facts
Quick facts! The scientific name for stomach growling is borborygmi! It's totally normal, and it happens to everyone. Your tummy rumbles after you eat too. Food just muffles the sound. And a grown-up's small intestine is about 6 meters long. That's longer than a giraffe is tall!
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Listen to your tummy! Before dinner, listen to your tummy. What do you hear? After dinner, listen again. What's different? Write down the sounds you hear: gurgles, rumbles, or quiet? Be curious, and be kind to your body. You're a scientist!
Outro
So a growly tummy just means your hard-working muscles are squeezing away. Your body is amazing! Remember, Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!