When strong emotions lead to crying, many people experience a peculiar sensation: a “lump in the throat.” This feeling, medically known as globus sensation, manifests as tightness or a feeling of something stuck in the throat, despite no physical obstruction. This physiological response is linked to the body’s mechanisms for breathing and swallowing, which are affected during intense emotional states.
The Body’s Throat Reflexes
The throat houses several structures that coordinate breathing and swallowing. The glottis, located within the voice box (larynx), is the opening between the vocal cords. These vocal cords are two bands of tissue that vibrate to produce sound, but also play a role in respiration by spreading apart to allow air to flow in and out of the lungs.
Above the glottis lies the epiglottis, a leaf-shaped flap of cartilage. Its primary function is to act as a protective lid, closing over the entrance to the windpipe (trachea) during swallowing. This ensures that food and liquids are directed down the food pipe (esophagus) and into the stomach, preventing them from entering the respiratory system. The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube supported by C-shaped cartilaginous rings that remains open for airflow, while the esophagus, a muscular tube, relies on contractions to move food. These involuntary reflexes of the throat are largely controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
How Emotions Trigger the Sensation
The “lump in the throat” sensation during crying arises from the body’s involuntary physiological responses to strong emotions. When experiencing intense feelings, the sympathetic nervous system activates, leading to the release of stress hormones.
One effect of this system is to widen the glottis and relax the vocal cords for increased airflow. However, when crying, there is a conflict between this urge to breathe deeply and the natural reflex to swallow, which requires the glottis to close. The throat muscles, including those surrounding the larynx, can also tense up during emotional distress, contributing to the feeling of constriction. This tension, combined with efforts to keep the airway open while attempting to swallow, creates the sensation of a lump.
When to Seek Medical Advice
The sensation of a lump in the throat when crying is generally a harmless and temporary physiological response. It resolves as emotional intensity subsides. Reassurance that this feeling is benign and not a physical obstruction is often sufficient.
However, if a similar throat sensation is persistent, unrelated to emotional states, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, seek medical evaluation. These “alarm signs” include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), pain when swallowing, unexplained weight loss, persistent hoarseness, muscle weakness, or a palpable mass in the neck or throat. Consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to rule out other underlying conditions.