Human Body

The human body is an amazing structure made up of many fascinating parts and systems. Learn about the human body and how its systems work together.

Topics to Explore

Doctors Provide Yet Another Reason to Never Hold in a Sneeze

More Americans Than You'd Think Smell 'Phantom Odors'

Do babies have kneecaps?

Facts About Organ Donation

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Aphantasia: When Your Mind's Eye Is Blank

Although the inability to picture things in your head would seem to be a hinderance, some experts say it's definitely not a creativity killer and actually can have some advantages.

By Alia Hoyt May 15, 2020 Body Systems / Brain & Central Nervous System

What Does It Mean If Your Blood Oxygen Level Is Low?

A low oxygen level in your blood is a good indicator of a COVID-19 infection, but what exactly does that mean and how do doctors test for it?

By Patty Rasmussen May 7, 2020 Body Systems / Circulatory System

What You Should Know About Antibody Testing

We're all hearing the words 'antibody' and 'antibody testing' way more than we ever thought we would in the normal course of a day, so what exactly are we talking about?

By Jesslyn Shields May 1, 2020 Body Systems / Immune System

Cytokine Storms: When Your Immune System Defends You to Death

Cytokine storm syndrome can turn a normally functioning immune system into an enemy more dangerous than the virus it's trying to dispatch.

By Jesslyn Shields Apr 15, 2020 Body Systems / Immune System

Farts Can Be Silent, But Can They Be Deadly, Too?

Maybe you've never even thought about it when you've smelled — or emitted — a particularly odoriferous fart. But can that fart spread disease?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Feb 28, 2020 Body Systems / Digestive System

Why Can't You Smell Your Own House?

You almost never notice the way your own place smells. Why is that?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Feb 6, 2020 Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat / Nose & Throat

This Is What Happens When You Work at a Desk for 20 Years

'Emma' is the hard-to-ignore embodiment of what years behind a desk could do to your body. She's hunched over, has bad skin and even varicose veins. Don't become Emma.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jan 22, 2020 Human Body / Body Parts

The Cerebellum Is the Body's Little Brain

The cerebellum is the part of our brain that controls voluntary movements like posture, balance, coordination and speech.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Aug 19, 2019 Body Systems / Brain & Central Nervous System

Feeling Hungry? Tired? Moody? Thank Your Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a tiny area of your brain that keeps everything — hunger, thirst, sleep, energy, mood — in balance.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jul 24, 2019 Body Systems / Brain & Central Nervous System

Does Oxytocin Make Us Fall in Love?

Sometimes referred to as the "cuddle hormone," oxytocin is released during sex and breastfeeding. But does it make you fall in love with someone or just bond you more with someone you already love?

By Dave Roos Jul 23, 2019 Body Systems / Endocrine System

Without a Hippocampus, Your Long-term Memory Is History

Located in the temporal lobe, this tiny horseshoe-shaped organ plays a massive role in both the storage of long-term memories and the creation of new ones.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jul 18, 2019 Body Systems / Brain & Central Nervous System

5 Ways Homeostasis Keeps Your Body Humming Along

Homeostasis comes from the Greek words for "similar" and "steady" but this state of steadiness is anything but boring. In fact, it's what you want your body to be.

By Alia Hoyt Jul 17, 2019 Body Systems / Endocrine System

The Amygdala: Gatekeeper of Human Fear

The amygdala is a small part of the human brain that most humans have probably never heard of.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jun 10, 2019 Body Systems / Brain & Central Nervous System

Toilet Stools, Like Squatty Potty, Really Get Things Moving, Study Says

A new study found that giving your feet a boost in the bathroom lessened constipation (and straining) significantly.

By Alia Hoyt Feb 4, 2019 Body Systems / Digestive System

Scientists Grow Human Blood Vessels in Lab

The groundbreaking innovation could mean major advances in treating people with diabetes and other vascular diseases.

By Jamie Allen Jan 17, 2019 Human Body / Body Parts

5 Reasons to Blow Your Nose Gently

It seems pretty safe to blow the old honker, doesn't it? Well, think again.

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 14, 2019 Human Body / Body Parts

Sitting Is Not the New Smoking. Not By a Long Shot

A group of scientists are trying to end the misleading claim that excessive sitting is just as bad for you as smoking.

By Alia Hoyt Nov 16, 2018 Human Body / Body Parts

Don't Let Travel Impact Your Pooping Routine

Travelers commonly experience unusual bowel symptoms while traveling. Why is this, and what can we do about it?

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 12, 2018 Body Systems / Digestive System

Why Won't My Eye Stop Twitching?

The eye twitching that's driving you crazy — it's likely caused by nothing more than stress or fatigue. But you may need to see a doctor if you have other symptoms, too.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Nov 2, 2018 Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat / Eye

Taking Out Your Appendix May Lessen Your Risk of Parkinson's

A large study found that people who had had their appendix removed early in life were significantly less likely to develop Parkinson's disease later on.

By Alia Hoyt Nov 1, 2018 Human Body / Body Parts

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Donating Your Brain to Science

Listed as an organ donor on your driver's license? That designation does not include your brain.

By Chris Opfer Oct 31, 2018 Body Systems / Brain & Central Nervous System

Are Flavored Vaping Liquids Safe?

Chemical flavorings interact with the solvents in vaping liquids, forming dangerous new compounds. And that's before they're even heated.

By Patrick J. Kiger Oct 30, 2018 Body Systems / Respiratory System

HowStuffWorks: 3d printing: 3d printing update

HowStuffWorks interviews Dr. Mathew Pombo a Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgeon at Emory about how 3d printing is used to help people walk

Human Body / Body Parts

Black Hairy Tongue: It's Gross, but You'll Live

You'll probably be OK if your tongue turns black and hairy, but you should definitely see a medical professional.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 13, 2018 Human Body / Body Parts

Scientists Discover Protein That Could Help Restore Hearing

For over 40 years, scientists have been searching for the protein that allows us to hear. Its recent discovery might help people regain their hearing.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 4, 2018 Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat / Ear