There are many fascinating and unusual facts about the human body; some can be fascinating while others can even be creepy! Read on to uncover more information on these incredible body facts:
Did you know that your eyes contain some of the fastest muscles in your body, or that ear wax acts like sweat?
1. The human skeleton is made up of 206 bones
Human skeletons consist of 206 bones, which contributes to shaping our bodies in both shape and form. Furthermore, these bones support soft tissues within our bodies while acting as reservoirs for minerals such as calcium and phosphate. Each bone also contains special cells dedicated to remodelling itself by building new bone tissue while breaking down old ones.
Bones play numerous key functions in our bodies, including their contribution to regulating hormones (endocrinal system). Other functions that bones play include calcium balance, pH regulation and blood cell formation.
Baby humans are born with about 270 bones that will progressively fuse together into an adult’s 206 bones over time. Our necks provide us with seven cervical vertebrae which help support the weight of our heads.
2. The human skin regenerates itself to heal a papercut
No matter if we are burned by the sun or cut with papercut, our skin works tirelessly to defend us against bacteria. Regenerating new cells keeps bacteria at bay while keeping us warm and cozy.
No doubt our bodies are incredible! From having one of the fastest muscles in our bodies to producing sweat in our ears earwax – our bodies do so much without us even realizing.
Did you know that your hands and palms have thicker skin to provide greater protection from sharp objects? And the orbicularis oculi muscle surrounding your eyes can snap shut your lids in under 100 milliseconds? Our list of Cool, Weird Body Facts Will Blow Your Mind offers more incredible facts like these to discover.
3. The human tongue prints are as unique as fingerprints
Like fingerprints, everyone has their own individual tongue print! Your tongue contains both geometric shape and physiological texture information that is hard to alter or fake – making it an effective means of identification but it could take a bit longer until police stations start taking tongue prints for identification purposes.
Human bodies are full of surprises. Our tongue is home to millions of taste buds that allow it to detect chemicals, such as toxins or food additives, while also being capable of sensing scents through our oral cavities.
Human bodies are incredible marvels filled with fascinating facts. Blinking 20 times per minute or that earwax is actually sweating are both fascinating facts about ourselves that you might find surprising! Continue reading to uncover even more crazy and surprising body facts that will blow your mind!
4. The human heart beats 100,000 times a day
The human heart is an incredible organ. Beating 100,000 times each day, this fist-sized organ pumps out 2,000 gallons of blood throughout our bodies each day that carries oxygen and nutrients that enable it to operate optimally.
Each minute, the heart sheds over 30,000 dead cells that are then replaced with new ones. Furthermore, it can continue beating even when separated from its surrounding tissues as long as an electrical impulse continues to reach it.
Human hearts are composed of an intricate network of blood vessels known as arteries, veins and capillaries that carry oxygen and nutrients throughout our bodies – they even allow us to sneeze or laugh without stopping our heartbeats! If we were to lay out the entire circulatory system end-to-end it would cover an impressive distance spanning more than 60,000 miles! These blood vessels deliver vital lifeblood directly into each cell of the body – as well as providing us with the ability to sneeze or laugh without stopping the heartbeats!
5. The human placenta is the only transient organ
Human bodies can do amazing things, like creating an intricate organ from scratch that lasts only for 9 months before expelled during childbirth. This organ is called the placenta and serves multiple functions while supporting its host fetus’s own growth and development.
It supplies nutrients and oxygen to fetuses while expelling carbon dioxide and waste products; in addition, it sends antibodies that strengthen immune responses for infants. As one of the least studied organs during gestation, its function remains understudied.
Next time you find yourself marveling over your body, think about all its incredible accomplishments. From having 206 bones to unique tongue prints, our bodies truly amaze. But there are even more astounding facts about us that might just amaze.
6. The human brain can survive up to six minutes without oxygen
Human bodies are truly incredible; they store all our memories, transport us wherever we need to go each day and contain many incredible abilities. But did you know that our brain can survive up to six minutes without oxygen?
Dependence on blood is critical to brain health. Without enough oxygen in your system, brain cells will start dying off, leading to permanent damage and stopping functioning altogether within 10 minutes of oxygen deprivation – potentially leading to death!
Why Exercise regularly and avoid roller coasters? Because regular physical activity helps maintain heart and brain health. Riding roller coasters at fast speeds could damage internal organs and lead to serious concussions if left riding too often.
7. The human heart is made up of 60% fat
Your heart is one of the hardest working muscles in your body, beating an estimated 100,000 times each day and pumping up to 1.5 million barrels of blood throughout life. Additionally, its electrical impulse allows it to continue beating even when separated from its host body for short periods.
Your brain contains 60 percent fat, making it the fattiest organ in your body. Essential fatty acids play a key role in its proper function.
Every person blinks an average of 10 times per minute. Additionally, we produce enough saliva in our lifetimes to fill two swimming pools; your earwax is actually an accumulation of sweat; and upon awakening one cm taller due to having had bone cartilage compressed during the day.
8. The human uterus expands during pregnancy
Your uterus is the pear-shaped organ in your reproductive system that accepts and nurtures fertilized eggs (zygote). Located within your pelvis of people assigned as female, the uterus connects directly to fallopian tubes via two horned parts known as corpus and fundus.
Your uterus expands rapidly during gestation to accommodate for the growing fetus; to monitor this expansion accurately, OBs measure its length periodically with a tape measure – this number corresponds to your week of pregnancy.
An enlarged uterus results from an increase of five to tenfold in muscle fibers, blood vessels, and nerves lining its walls. With an expanded blood supply and space to accommodate your fetus’ development and delivery of your baby, an enlarged uterus also grows wider to help you birth it successfully.
9. The human brain has 86 billion neurons
The brain is one of the most amazing organs in our bodies. Comprised of billions of neurons (nerve cells), its nerve connections communicate via trillions of synapses that bridge its complexity.
Each neuron in the brain is colored grey-brown, giving the appearance of folds and grooves known as gyri and sulcus to give its distinct look. Furthermore, long nerve fibers connect various brain areas with each other for communication purposes.
These nerves, known as axons, assist with coordination, memory and learning. The human brain also controls emotions and thoughts as well as our movements and senses such as smell, touch, taste and sight; moreover it sends signals from its cerebellum directly into our lungs to make us laugh!
10. The human heart beats outside the body
Scientists have made an amazing breakthrough, discovering a way to keep the human heart beating outside its body – this development could have vast medical ramifications.
Your heart is the powerhouse that drives every cell, nerve, muscle and organ in your body. It transports oxygen-rich blood to every part of your body on an impressively daily basis – over one million times to be exact!
Your circulatory system – comprised of the extensive network of blood vessels that transports your blood throughout your body – consists of arteries, veins and capillaries – would stretch more than 100,000 miles if laid end-to-end!
Your heart doesn’t rely on brain activity to beat, it will continue beating as long as there is oxygen available – this explains why your heart can continue beating even after you’re brain dead.