# Navels **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 28, 2000, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navels/7847 "2000-02-28T03:35:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MissMonica7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@MissMonica7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMonica7)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2000, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navels/7847/1 "2000-02-28T03:35:00Z")
Im sorry if this has been asked before, if im a complete idiot for asking this, blah blah blah… I know we all have navels, belly buttons, whatever you want to call them. What i need to know is…are they connected to something on the inside? this is not something i regularly do, but if i put my finger or q-tip or whatever there, i can feel something inside…in strange places. is this cuz im a female? id appreciate a somewhat intelligent answer. thank you ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2000, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navels/7847/2 "2000-02-28T04:57:00Z")
When you are a fetus, there are of course particular veins and arteries that connect you to Momma’s placenta via the umbilical cord which pass through the navel. But, AFAIK, all of these atrophy and fade away shortly after the umbilical cord is removed. Don’t quote me on it though, I’m not an expert. ---
**Author:** ![NanoByte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecc23a/32.png) [@NanoByte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NanoByte)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2000, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navels/7847/3 "2000-02-28T06:42:00Z")
No, I don’t think that particular point has yet been covered here. So I guess it’s OK if everyone here pushes your button? Not knowing anything about the subject, I would guess that some inconsequential improper healing there, in your case, stimulates some nerve tract that runs somehow in a non-standard route, something somewhat rigid carries the effect to a nerve furthr in, and this isn’t particularly related to what sex you are. How far away from your external navel do you sense the effect noticed in touching it, and has it always acted that way? Of course, you might’ve slept, belly-down, on a needle. There **is** an MD that sometimes posts to this board. Ray ---
**Author:** ![MissMonica7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@MissMonica7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMonica7)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2000, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navels/7847/4 "2000-02-28T12:20:00Z")
when i touch it, i feel something a short distance away…in a downwards direction…if you know what im saying… this is weird, all along i thought everyone was like this. my navel doesnt look weird, it looks like everyone elses. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2000, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navels/7847/5 "2000-02-28T13:22:00Z")
My wife has noticed that the _inside_ of her navel is very sensitive; i.e., from within her. Whenever our baby kicks her there, it hurts. Every where else it’s just a pressure or a tickle. * * * Wrong thinking is punished, right thinking is just as swiftly rewarded. You’ll find it an effective combination. ---
**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2000, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navels/7847/6 "2000-02-28T17:09:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by MissMonica7: > \*\*when i touch it, i feel something a short distance away…in a downwards direction…if you know what im saying… > > \*\* This question was dealt with at some point in the past (I can’t find the thread), but from a male perspective. The sensation is not gender specific. When I wiggle my finger in my belly button, it produces a sharp uncomfortable sensation in the tip of my penis; I suspect you feel it in the female equivalent location, possibly the clitoris? Interesting! * * * VB Changing my Sigline again 'cause Vebs’tummy is all better now! ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2000, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navels/7847/7 "2000-02-29T08:55:00Z")
Several years ago I remember having a drunken conversation with a bunch of people about this topic. It was about an even mix of men and women. 48% knew what I was talking about, 48% thought the other 48% was nuts, and 4% had outies 🙂