human body: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 1, 2026

News •

Industry executives knew for decades that microplastics were infiltrating the human body • Oct. 26, 2026, 6:00 AM ET (Los Angeles Times)

Did You Know?

An increase in the volume of background noise has been correlated with the perception of food as less sweet or less salty.
The human femur can support a weight thirty times that of the human body, making it even stronger than steel.
Chronic stress produces high levels of cortisol, which may cause damage to the hippocampus in the brain, leading to memory loss.
The evolution of the human eyebrows is believed to have prevented the influx of sweat into the eyes.
The human nervous system can relay electrochemical messages at a rate of 249 mph (400 km/hr).

Photos and Videos

Vintage anatomy chart showing front and back views of the human skeletal system and muscular system, with detailed illustrations of bones and muscles.

Illustration of the human muscular system from a side view, showing detailed muscles throughout the body with labels identifying major muscles in the head, torso, arms, and legs.

Infographic showing biological levels of organization from smallest to largest: a single cell, a block of tissue, a stomach as an organ, the digestive organ system, and a complete human organism.

Elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair holds an elderly tabby cat on her lap in a home setting.

Human anatomy. Lists of body parts, systems, and organs.

Anterior anatomical illustration of the human muscular system, showing major muscles from the front with detailed labels identifying muscles of the face, chest, arms, abdomen, and legs.

An anatomical illustration of the human hand and wrist bones from a dorsal view, showing labeled carpal bones, metacarpal bones, and the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges of each finger.

Side view cross section of a human finger showing the nail plate on top, the nail bed beneath it, and the underlying bone, with each part clearly labeled.

An anatomical illustration of the human forearm and hand from a posterior view, showing labeled muscles and tendons including the triceps brachii, brachioradialis, extensor digitorum, and various extensor and abductor muscles and tendons.

Detailed anatomical illustration of the human upper arm from the front, showing the superficial muscles, major nerves, and tendons. Key structures like the deltoid, biceps brachii, brachialis, and associated nerves are labeled.

How are different systems of the human body connected?

A swimmer wearing goggles and a swim cap turns their head to breathe while swimming in open water, emphasizing the act of breathing during exercise.

Hear an exposed human heart beating

Why don't humans have tails?

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Topics

human nervous system human eye human digestive system human respiratory system renal system human cardiovascular system human endocrine system human sensory reception human reproductive system human development mental disorder human behaviour nutritional disease therapeutics medicine skeleton sleep diagnosis connective tissue psychology

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Property law: The human body

Key People

Galen of Pergamum

Galen

Greek physician

Andreas Vesalius

Andreas Vesalius

Belgian physician

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Mondino De’ Luzzi

Italian physician

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Alcmaeon

Greek philosopher and physiologist

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Jonathan Miller

British actor, director, producer, and medical doctor

Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.

Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.

Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.

Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.

Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

Muscles of facial expression, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC). Human face, human head.

Characteristics of the Human Body

Superficial arteries and veins of face and scalp, cardiovascular system, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC)

The Human Body