Askenasy J J
Sleep Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Israel.
J Psychol. 1989 Nov;123(6):609-21. doi: 10.1080/00223980.1989.10543014.
Despite the fact that yawning is a reality of everyday life, its study is not included in the curriculum of medical schools, and most medical textbooks barely mention its existence. Two factors may help to explain this puzzling situation: (a) yawning's borderline position between psychology and neurology, and (b) researchers' lack of understanding as to why people yawn. After review of the literature and personal observation, it is concluded that yawning is a complex arousal defense reflex located in the reticular brainstem with a peripheral and central arche, whose aim is to reverse brain hypoxia. Yawning occurs with loss of interest (boredom) and may or may not be associated with fatigue. By reversing drowsiness, yawning avoids a decreased concentration capacity resulting from borderline hypoxia. It is hoped that this article will stimulate further research on the phenomenon.
尽管打哈欠是日常生活中的常见现象，但医学院校的课程中并未涉及对它的研究，大多数医学教科书也只是寥寥提及它的存在。有两个因素或许可以解释这种令人费解的情况：（a）打哈欠处于心理学和神经学的边缘位置；（b）研究人员对人们打哈欠的原因缺乏了解。在查阅文献并进行个人观察之后，得出的结论是，打哈欠是一种复杂的唤醒防御反射，位于脑干网状结构，具有外周和中枢机制，其目的是扭转脑部缺氧状态。打哈欠会在人们失去兴趣（无聊）时出现，可能与疲劳有关，也可能无关。通过扭转困倦状态，打哈欠可避免因临界缺氧导致的注意力下降。希望本文能激发对这一现象的进一步研究。
