what is the human body essay

Human Body Essay

Introduction.

It is surprising to see how a human body functions with maximum capability. Whether we are talking, walking or seeing, there are distinct parts in our body that are destined to perform a particular function. The importance of each part is discussed in this human body essay. When we feel tired, we often take a rest and lie down for a moment. But our body continues to work, even when we take a break. Even if you are tired, your heart will not stop beating. It pumps blood and transports nutrients to your body.

The human body is made up of many parts and organs that work together to sustain life in our body. No organ or body part is more important than the other, and if you ignore one of them, then the whole body will be in pain. So, let us teach the significance of different parts of the body to our children through this essay on human body parts in English. To explore other exciting content for kids learning , head to our website.

Different Systems in the Human Body

The human body looks very simple from the outside with hands, legs, face, eyes, ears and so on. But, there is a more complex and significant structure inside the body that helps us to live. The human body is made up of many small structures like cells, tissues, organs and systems. It is covered by the skin, beneath which you could find muscles, veins, and blood. This structure is formed on the base of a skeleton, which consists of many bones. All these are arranged in a specific way to help the body function effectively. In this human body essay, we will see the different systems in the human body and their functions.

The circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system and nervous system are the main systems of the human body. Each system has different organs, and they function together to accomplish several tasks. The circulatory system consists of organs like the heart, blood and blood vessels, and its main function is to pump blood from the heart to the lungs and carry oxygen to different parts of the body.

Next, we will understand the importance of the respiratory system through this human body essay in English. The respiratory system enables us to breathe easily, and it includes organs like the lungs, airways, windpipe, nose and mouth. While the digestive system helps in breaking down the food we eat and gives the energy to work with the help of organs like the mouth, food pipe, stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, and anus, the nervous system controls our actions, thoughts and movements. It mainly consists of organs like the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

All these systems are necessary for the proper functioning of the human body, which is discussed in this essay on human body parts in English. By inculcating good eating habits, maintaining proper hygiene and doing regular exercises, we can look after our bodies. You can refer to more essays for kids on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions on Human Body Essay

Why should we take care of our bodies.

Most of the tasks we do like walking, running, eating etc., are only possible if we have a healthy body. To ensure we have a healthy body, all the systems must function properly, which is determined by our lifestyle and eating habits. Only a healthy body will have a healthy mind, and hence, we must take good care of our bodies.

What are some of the body parts and their functions?

We see with our eyes, listen with our ears, walk with our legs, touch with our hands, breathe through our nose and taste with our tongue.

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Essay on Human Body

Students are often asked to write an essay on Human Body in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Human Body

The marvel of the human body.

The human body is a complex, wonderful machine. It consists of many parts, all working together.

Body Systems

There are many systems in our body, like the skeletal system that provides structure, and the muscular system that allows movement.

Organs and Cells

Organs like the heart and lungs perform vital functions. Our body is also made up of trillions of tiny cells.

Body’s Defenses

The immune system protects us from disease, while the skin serves as a barrier against the outside world.

In conclusion, the human body is a fascinating subject, full of wonder and complexity.

250 Words Essay on Human Body

Introduction.

The human body, a complex biological system, is a marvel of evolution. It comprises numerous organs, tissues, and cells, all working in harmony to maintain life. This essay delves into the intricacies of the human body, highlighting its major components and their functions.

Structural Organization

At the most basic level, cells form the building blocks of the human body. These cells group together to form tissues, which further combine to create organs. Each organ has a specific function, contributing to the body’s overall health and survival.

Systems of the Human Body

The body is divided into several systems, including the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems. Each of these systems plays a crucial role. For instance, the nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, controls body functions and enables cognition and consciousness.

Maintenance and Regulation

The human body’s homeostasis is fundamental to its functioning. This involves maintaining a constant internal environment, such as body temperature and pH balance. The endocrine system, with its hormones, and the nervous system play significant roles in this regulation.

In conclusion, the human body is an intricate and efficient system, a testament to the wonders of nature and evolution. Its complexity and functionality are a constant subject of study, offering endless possibilities for research and advancement in the field of medicine and biology.

500 Words Essay on Human Body

The human body is a complex and fascinating entity that is the epitome of biological engineering. It is a marvel of evolution, honed over millions of years to become a highly efficient machine capable of extraordinary feats. This essay delves into the intricacies of the human body, exploring its structure, function, and the symbiotic relationship between its various systems.

Structural Complexity

The human body is composed of several levels of structural organization. At the most basic level, we find cells – the building blocks of life. These cells group together to form tissues, which in turn combine to form organs. The organs then work together in organ systems to perform specific functions. The human body comprises eleven organ systems, each with its own unique role, yet they all work in unison to maintain homeostasis.

Functional Dynamics

The functionality of the human body is a testament to the intricate design and coordination of its systems. The circulatory system, for instance, is responsible for the transportation of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products around the body. The nervous system, on the other hand, acts as the body’s control center, sending and receiving signals to and from different parts of the body. The respiratory system facilitates the exchange of gases, while the digestive system breaks down food into nutrients that the body can use. These systems, among others, work in a coordinated fashion to ensure the smooth functioning of the body.

The Symbiotic Relationship

The relationship between the various systems of the human body is symbiotic in nature. Each system relies on the others to function optimally. For instance, the respiratory and circulatory systems work together to deliver oxygen to cells and remove carbon dioxide. The nervous system controls the rate of breathing and heart rate based on the body’s needs. The endocrine system, with its hormones, influences almost every other system, affecting growth, metabolism, mood, and more. This interdependence underscores the complexity and efficiency of the human body.

Adaptability and Resilience

One of the most remarkable characteristics of the human body is its adaptability and resilience. It can adapt to various environmental conditions, from the freezing temperatures of the Arctic to the scorching heat of the desert. The immune system, a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs, defends the body against harmful microorganisms, demonstrating the body’s resilience. Furthermore, the body has remarkable healing capabilities, with systems in place to repair damage and restore function.

In conclusion, the human body is an intricately designed system that showcases the marvels of evolution. Its structural complexity, functional dynamics, symbiotic relationship between systems, and adaptability and resilience are awe-inspiring. Understanding the human body not only allows us to appreciate the marvel that it is but also equips us with the knowledge to take better care of it. Indeed, the human body is a testament to the sophistication and beauty of biological engineering.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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What are the systems of the body? Fast facts about the human body and how it works

Learn all about the human body's many systems and some of its individual organs, both vital and vestigial.

The human body is a complex network of systems that work together to keep life-sustaining processes running smoothly. These systems break down food for fuel, clear away waste, repair damaged tissues and DNA, fight infectious germs and monitor the outside world so we can move through it safely. 

Many scientists spend their days working to understand how each bodily system performs its jobs, how the systems interact, and what can happen when one or more of them falter. Such malfunctions can stem from aging or disease, for instance, and through medical care, doctors aim to get derailed systems back on track. 

Here's a quick rundown of the systems of the human body, its vital organs and its "vestigial" organs, as well as a few fascinating facts about how the body works.

What are the different systems of the human body? 

Our bodies consist of a number of biological systems that carry out specific functions necessary for everyday living. Some organs and tissues play roles in multiple systems at once.

Related: Strange, two-faced brain cells confirmed to exist, and they may play a role in schizophrenia  

Circulatory : The job of the circulatory system is to move blood, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide and hormones around the body. It consists of the heart, blood, blood vessels, arteries and veins. According to the Cleveland Clinic , the adult human body's network of blood vessels is more than 60,000 miles (around 100,000 kilometers) long. 

Digestive: The digestive system consists of a series of connected organs that together allow the body to break down and absorb nutrients from food and remove waste. It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine , large intestine, rectum and anus. The large intestine is home to microorganisms that are collectively called the gut microbiome and influence our health in various ways . The liver and pancreas also have roles in the digestive system because they produce digestive juices filled with enzymes to break down the components of food, such as carbohydrates , fats and proteins , according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases .

Endocrine: The endocrine system consists of a network of glands that secrete hormones — long-range chemical messengers that regulate how cells and tissue function — into the blood. These hormones, in turn, travel to different tissues and regulate many bodily functions, such as metabolism , growth and sexual function, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine . For example, the pancreas releases the hormones insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar . Conditions like diabetes and insulin resistance arise from the body having too little insulin or not responding to it adequately. 

Related: Meet the 'exclusome': A mini-organ just discovered in cells that defends the genome from attack

Immune: The immune system is the body's defense against bacteria , viruses and other pathogens that may be harmful. Components of the system include the lymph nodes , which contain infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are one of many types of leukocyte , or white blood cell. The immune system also includes the spleen , the bone marrow and a gland called the thymus . The immune system can learn to recognize antigens — proteins on the surface of bacteria, fungi and viruses — and alert the body to their presence. Some immune cells make proteins called antibodies that attach to these antigens and mark invaders for destruction. 

Lymphatic: The lymphatic system includes the lymph nodes, lymph ducts and lymph vessels and is considered part of the immune system. Its main job is to make and move lymph , a clear fluid that contains white blood cells. The lymphatic system also removes excess lymph fluid from the body's tissues and returns it to the blood.

Nervous: The nervous system controls both voluntary actions, such as conscious movements, and involuntary actions,like breathing, and it sends signals to and detects signals from different parts of the body. Conscious actions are controlled by the somatic nervous system, while involuntary actions are controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system dictates whether we're in " rest and digest " or " fight or flight " mode. The nervous system can further be split up into the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, or the nerves connecting the CNS to every other part of the body.

Muscular: The body's muscular system consists of hundreds of muscles that aid movement, blood flow and other bodily functions, according to the Library of Congress . There are three types of muscle: skeletal, which is connected to bone and helps with voluntary movement; smooth, which is found inside organs and helps to move substances through them; and cardiac, which is found in the heart. The body's largest muscle by mass is the gluteus maximus, but the two latissimus dorsi are the largest in terms of surface area.

Related: Why is it harder for some people to build muscle than others?

Reproductive: The reproductive system allows humans to produce offspring. The male reproductive system includes the penis and the testes , which produce sperm. The female reproductive system includes the vagina, uterus and ovaries, which produce eggs. During fertilization, a sperm cell will fuse with an egg cell that, in a successful pregnancy, will then implant in the uterus. The fertilized egg will then mature into what's called a blastocyst, then an embryo and, finally, a fetus. A placenta forms to support this process. 

Skeletal: Our bodies are supported by the skeletal system , which contains between 206 and 213 bones in an adult human body, due to slight variations in people's anatomy, according to the medical resource StatPearls . These bones are connected by tissues called tendons, ligaments and cartilage. As infants, humans have about 300 bones , but some fuse together as the child grows. The skeleton not only helps us move but is  also involved in the production of blood cells and the storage of calcium. The teeth are also part of the skeletal system, but they aren't considered bones . The smallest bones in the body are found in the ear, and the largest is the femur, or thigh bone, which is also one of the heaviest body parts .

Respiratory: The respiratory system allows us to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide through breathing. It includes the lungs ; trachea, or windpipe; and the diaphragm, a muscle that pulls air into and pushes air out of the lungs.

Urinary: The urinary system helps eliminate a waste product called urea, which is produced when certain foods are broken down. The system includes the two kidneys; two ureters, or tubes leaving the kidneys; the bladder; two sphincter muscles; and the urethra. The kidneys filter blood in the body to make urine that then travels down the ureters to the bladder and exits the body through the urethra.

Integumentary: The skin, hair and nails make up the integumentary system. Skin is the body's largest organ . It protects our innards from the outside world, serving as our first defense against bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, for instance. Our skin also helps regulate body temperature and eliminate waste through perspiration, or sweat. 

Related: Scientists discover new way humans feel touch  

What are the body's vital organs?

Click the purple circles to learn about the body's vital organs, including the brain, lungs, heart, liver and kidneys. They're considered vital because you need a functioning brain, heart, liver, at least one kidney and at least one lung to survive. That said, there are medical devices and treatments that can make up for a loss of function in these organs, at least temporarily — for example, ECMO machines can do the work of the heart and lungs, and dialysis can filter the blood of people with kidney failure.

• The average adult male body contains about 36 trillion cells , the average adult female body contains 28 trillion cells and a 10-year-old has about 17 trillion. 
• It's often said that there are 78 organs in the human body , but the number actually differs depending on whom you ask. 
• There's a popular idea that the body replaces itself every seven years . But that's not really true, because tissues renew themselves at different rates. 
• Oxygen is the most common element in the human body , followed by carbon. 
• The average adult body contains about 1.2 to 1.5 gallons (4.5 to 5.5 liters) of blood . 
• Humans' average body temperature has fallen slightly over time, so it's no longer 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). 
• The most detailed map of the human brain to date contains more than 3,300 types of brain cells . 

What are vestigial organs?

There are arguably some parts of the human body that don't serve any useful purpose, such as the male nipple. That said, the usefulness of some organs is still up for debate , as scientists have often judged the worth of body parts before discovering their purposes. 

Broadly speaking, vestigial body parts are defined as those that have lost their original physiological significance to humans over the course of evolutionary history. The idea is that, while we inherited them from an ancient ancestor, we could really do without them in the modern day. 

— Scientists just discovered a new way cells control their genes — it's called 'backtracking'

— New part of the body found hiding in the lungs

— Scientists stumble upon a new part of a cell in one of the most studied animals on Earth  

Wisdom teeth are held up as one example of a vestigial body part, as the modern human jaw is often too small to accommodate a third set of molars. Some people also carry remnants of a vomeronasal organ that is largely thought to be nonfunctional in humans; animals use equivalent organs to detect each other's pheromones. 

Some scientists consider the human tailbone, or coccyx, vestigial because it's no longer a full-blown tail. But it's far from useless, as it still anchors many muscles, ligaments and tendons. And the appendix has gotten a bad rap for supposedly being both vestigial and useless, but more recently, scientists have uncovered possible functions for the long-maligned body part. 

Ever wonder why some people build muscle more easily than others or why freckles come out in the sun ? Send us your questions about how the human body works to [email protected] with the subject line "Health Desk Q," and you may see your question answered on the website!

Editor's note: This page was last updated on April 5, 2024.

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Rachael is a Live Science contributor, and was a former channel editor and senior writer for Live Science between 2010 and 2022. She has a master's degree in journalism from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. She also holds a B.S. in molecular biology and an M.S. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. Her work has appeared in Scienceline, The Washington Post and Scientific American.

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Introduction to the Human Body

The human body is a complex, highly organized structure made up of unique cells that work together to accomplish the specific functions necessary for sustaining life.

The biology of the human body includes

Physiology (how the body functions)

Anatomy (how the body is structured)

Anatomy is organized by levels, from the smallest components of cells to tissues and organs and to organ systems .

Gross anatomy is the study of the body's organs as seen with the naked eye during visual inspection and when the body is cut open for examination (dissection).

Cellular anatomy is the study of cells and their components, which can be observed only with the use of special techniques and special instruments such as microscopes.

Molecular anatomy (often called molecular biology) is the study of the smallest components of cells at the biochemical level.

Anatomy and physiology change remarkably between fertilization and birth. After birth, the rate of anatomic and physiologic changes slows, but childhood is still a time of remarkable growth and development ( see Physical Growth of Infants and Children ). Some anatomic changes occur past adulthood, but the physiologic changes in the body's cells and organs are what contribute most to what we experience as aging ( see Changes in the Body With Aging ).

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The Importance of Anatomy

Anatomy is the knowledge about the structure of the bodies of animals and people. This includes information about blood vessels, organs, the skeleton, and nerves. But have you ever wondered where the anatomical information in science books and websites comes from? When did our fascination with the body begin and why do people still study it now? Who teaches doctors, nurses, veterinary surgeons, and other health professionals about the body? How has anatomy inspired art, and vice versa? This paper looks at the amazing world of anatomy: what anatomy is; why it is needed; why it is important; who studies, teaches, and researches anatomy; and what the future holds for this fascinating science.

What is Anatomy?

Anatomy is the study of the body’s structure. It is a branch of science that investigates organs, bones, structures, and cells that exist in animals and people. There is a related scientific discipline called physiology , which helps us to understand the functions of different parts of the body, but understanding anatomy is essential for physiology.

Anatomy is often split into two parts: gross anatomy , which involves investigating larger structures of the body, and histology (sometimes called microanatomy), which helps us understand the finer details of cells and smaller structures of the body. Equipment, such as microscopes ( Figures 1A,B ) are used for histology. Anatomy looks at embryos as well as both young and old animals and people. There are over 200 types of cells, with more still being discovered, and the average human body has 37.2 trillion cells. The human body also has around 640 named muscles, but this depends on how they are classified, so actually the total can be a lot more. Adults typically have 206–208 named bones and 100,000 miles worth of blood vessels (roughly the distance around the Earth four times). Children have 60,000 miles of blood vessels 1 . The body is very intricate and there is still much to study and learn about.

• Figure 1 - (A) Microscopes are used to look at cells and tissues.
• (B) Real heart cells as viewed under a microscope. (C) Anatomists study bones and reassemble skeletons. (D) A real pygmy (mini) hippo skeleton. (E) Computed tomography (often called a CAT scan) is used to see inside animals and people. (F) Guinea-pig bones examined using computed tomography.

The Ten Body Systems

Anatomists (researchers of anatomy) often split the body up into ten basic systems to help describe what different parts of the body do.

• Skeletal—The bones, cartilage, and joints.
• Muscular—The muscles, which helps the body move and breathe.
• Nervous—The brain, spinal cord, and cells called nerves that relay electrical impulses between the brain/spinal cord and the rest of the body.
• Respiratory—The lungs, nose, trachea, and other cells and tubes related to breathing.
• Cardiovascular—The heart, blood vessels, and blood, which provide oxygen and nutrients to the body and remove waste products.
• Lymphatic—Tubes called lymph vessels and several organs and cell types that drain away fluids and protect the body.
• Endocrine—Organs, such as the pancreas, liver, testes, and ovaries, and glands that produce/regulate hormones and other chemical signals.
• Male and Female Reproductive Systems—Organs involved in reproduction, including the uterus, clitoris, and penis.
• Urinary—The kidneys and bladder, which filter the blood, remove waste products, and produce and excrete urine.
• Digestive—Organs, such as the mouth, stomach, intestines, and anus, which digest and absorb food and dispose of waste products.

Researching Anatomy

Throughout history there have been many great anatomists. It is hard to believe that we once did not know what the heart did or that red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. Even today we do not know or understand every part of the body. Anatomists play important roles in developing new technologies and techniques for looking at bodies.

Historically, the best way of seeing inside the body was by dissection —cutting open the body to reveal its contents, a practice that is still done today. For example, if someone dies, a pathologist may need to discover the cause of death by looking inside the body, and surgeons need to cut open the body of the patient when they are doing surgery. The first well-known anatomists relied on dissection too. Although anatomy has been practiced for thousands of years, we are still learning more every day. New bones, muscles, blood vessels, cells, and functions are still being discovered by anatomists.

If you have been to a natural history museum, you may have seen skeletons prepared by skilled anatomists ( Figures 1C,D , 2A ). You may also have seen 3D models of the blood and/or lymph vessels in the body ( Figure 2B ). Models are also made of the entire body or certain body parts ( Figure 2C ), to help others understand anatomy.

• Figure 2 - Anatomy is often studied and taught using (A) skeletons, (B) models of blood vessels, and (C) organs, to help students research and understand the body and how it works.
• (D) X-rays can also be used to look inside the body. (E) Anatomists often work alongside other types of scientists to investigate how the body works.

By the 1600s, microscopes were used to magnify organs and cells, giving even greater insight into what they look like and how they work. As technology advanced, more powerful microscopes were developed. We can now see objects thousands of times larger than their actual size.

By using modern technologies, such as computed tomography (also called CAT scans; Figures 1E,F ), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) , and X-rays ( Figure 2D ), we can see inside the bodies of both living and dead organisms. These technologies reveal the inner body without the need to physically cut the body open 2 . These techniques not only help anatomists learn about the body, but they also help doctors to diagnose illness and understand a multitude of other medical problems.

Anatomists often use additional techniques to understand the function of the body. For example, they need to understand how genes work and how each cell and organ functions ( Figure 2E ). Anatomists often work with other scientists and doctors to understand how medicines and different diseases affect the body, which can help identify treatments and cures for diseases. They also work with pathologists, with forensic scientists who use science to help solve crimes, with paleontologists who look at fossils, and with archaeologists trying to uncover reasons for death or extinction.

Teaching Anatomy

There are many types of people who teach anatomy and also many people who need to learn it. Learning about the body often begins at nursery and school. Songs, such as “heads, shoulders, knees, and toes” help young children to learn the names of their body parts. We also learn about organs, such as the brain and heart and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep our bodies fit and active. School science teachers often teach anatomy. You can even take a university/college degree in anatomy. If you are studying biology, medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, or several other health-related fields, you will be taught anatomy. After all, no one can do surgery without knowing where all the organs, bloods vessels, muscles, and other parts of the body are located. Top athletes, their coaches, those who give massages, and sports therapists also need to learn the parts of the body and how they work. If you take sports qualifications at school, you will probably learn about the bones and muscles involved in athletics.

Famous Anatomists and the Arts

Throughout history, the body has been a source of inspiration not only for science but also for the arts. How many paintings, books, photographs, and sculptures have you seen of humans and animals? Even the very first cave people drew human bodies. Ancient Egyptians were working on the heart and blood vessels in 1600 BC. Around 400 BC, a Greek man named Hippocrates became known as the father of medicine and a founder of anatomy ( Figure 3A ). Herophilus, who was also Greek but worked much of his life in Egypt, became known as the father of anatomy and was one of the first people known to dissect humans. A school of anatomy was set up in 300 BC in Alexandria, Egypt [ 4 ]. The first documented woman practicing anatomy and pathology was Alessandra Giliani in the 1300s, but it is likely there were many before her ( Figure 3B ). Women have long been doctors and midwives, even when it was banned or seen as outrageous. Likewise, many women have studied anatomy despite the views of society. In 1847, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to attend medical school in the United States, and in 1864 Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first African-American woman doctor. In the UK, in the 1860s, Dr. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was the first openly female doctor, but before that Dr. James Barry also practiced medicine but she had to dress as a man and have a male name in order to do so. Luckily, today many anatomists and doctors are female.

• Figure 3 - (A) Hippocrates, called the father of medicine, and Herophilus, who is called the founder of anatomy and who carried out the first recorded dissection, worked in ancient Greece around 400 BC.
• (B) Sculptor Anna Morandi Manzolini worked in Italy in the 1700s, creating wax models and writing about organs and teaching in her home laboratory. The picture also shows Alessandra Giliani, who practiced anatomy in the 1300s and is famous for dissection. (C) Leonardo da Vinci was brilliant in many areas, but is well-known for being an anatomist, teacher, researcher, and artist. He had a great interest in the heart and blood vessels.

Some anatomists have been artists, too. Leonardo Da Vinci combined art and science to help show what was inside the body, by creating brilliant pieces of art ( Figure 3C ). Anna Morandi Manzolini was another Italian anatomist and sculptor ( Figure 3B ). In the 1700s, she worked in her home laboratory, writing about the organs, teaching, and creating detailed wax models [ 5 ]. Florence Rena Sabin and many other anatomists followed her example and taught using models. Today, anatomists worldwide use models and 3D animations to help guide students.

Some people have also studied a little anatomy to create art pieces. For example, Mary Shelley wrote her brilliant novel “Frankenstein” at the age of just 18, back in the 1800s when it was seen as shocking for women to even wonder about how the body worked.

Conclusions

Today, we can visit museums and marvel at skeletons and wax models, learning science and appreciating the beauty of the human body. Anatomy is taught to most people at school and is not only important in medicine and sports, but is also an inspiration for art and literature worldwide. Today’s anatomists combine many technologies and techniques to discover more about animals and humans, thus advancing the field of medicine.

Physiology : ↑ The study of how normal living organisms function and work. For example how the human body and its organs functions.

Gross Anatomy : ↑ Looking at structures/anatomy where you can see the objects using eyesight only, a microscope is not required.

Histology : ↑ The study of cells and the body using a microscope.

Dissection : ↑ Separating something into pieces, for example opening up a body or organ to see inside it.

Pathologist : ↑ A person who studies the causes and effects of diseases, often using bodies to diagnose illness or understand cause of death.

Computed Tomography : ↑ Also called CAT scan; a technique in which an object, person, or animal is imaged using many X-rays and the images are processed using computers.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) : ↑ Scanners use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed 3D anatomical images (and images of other objects) without cutting the body open or using x-rays.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Anatomical Society for helping to fund this work through a Public Engagement and Outreach grant to Catrin titled Anatomy for ALL—Making Anatomy Accessible. We would also like to thank the British Science Association and University of Nottingham for awarding Catrin with a BSA Media Fellowship 2019.

1. ↑ For more information on blood vessels see our paper “Blood Vessels Under the Microscope” [ 1 ].

2. ↑ If you want to see what guinea-pig bones look like using computed tomography, see our paper looking at bone growth and structure [ 2 ]. We have also done work using MRI to investigate how bones are involved with lameness in cattle [ 3 ].

[1] ↑ Machado, M., Mitchell, C., Franklin, J., Thorpe, A., and Rutland, C. 2020. Blood vessels under the microscope. Front. Young Minds 8:151. doi: 10.3389/frym.2019.00151

[2] ↑ Witkowska, A., Alibhai, A., Hughes, C., Price, J., Klisch, K., Sturrock, C. J., et al. 2014. Computed tomography analysis of guinea pig bone: architecture, bone thickness and dimensions throughout development. Peerj 2:e615. doi: 10.7717/peerj.615

[3] ↑ Newsome, R., Green, M. J., Bell, N. J., Chagunda, M. G. G., Mason, C. S., Rutland, C. S., et al. 2016. Linking bone development on the caudal aspect of the distal phalanx with lameness during life. J. Dairy Sci. 99:4512–25. doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-10202

[4] ↑ Pearce, J. M. S. 2019. Early contribution of Alexandria medical school to the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the nervous system. Rev. Neurol. 175:119–25. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2018.04.011

[5] ↑ Ferry, G. 2018. A woman’s place Anna Morandi: anatomist of enlightenment Bologna. Lancet 392:375. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31661-1

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13.2: Organization of the Human Body

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How is the human body similar to a well-tuned machine?

Many people have compared the human body to a machine. Think about some common machines, such as drills and washing machines. Each machine consists of many parts, and each part does a specific job, yet all the parts work together to perform an overall function. The human body is like a machine in all these ways. In fact, it may be the most fantastic machine on Earth.

The human machine is organized at different levels, starting with the cell and ending with the entire organism (see Figure below ). At each higher level of organization, there is a greater degree of complexity.

The human organism has several levels of organization.

The most basic parts of the human machine are cells—an amazing 100 trillion of them by the time the average person reaches adulthood! Cells are the basic units of structure and function in the human body, as they are in all living things. Each cell carries out basic life processes that allow the body to survive. Many human cells are specialized in form and function, as shown in Figure below . Each type of cell in the figure plays a specific role. For example, nerve cells have long projections that help them carry electrical messages to other cells. Muscle cells have many mitochondria that provide the energy they need to move the body.

Different types of cells in the human body are specialized for specific jobs. Do you know the functions of any of the cell types shown here?

After the cell, the tissue is the next level of organization in the human body. A tissue is a group of connected cells that have a similar function. There are four basic types of human tissues: epithelial, muscle, nervous, and connective tissues. These four tissue types, which are shown in Figure below , make up all the organs of the human body.

The human body consists of these four tissue types.

• Connective tissue is made up of cells that form the body’s structure. Examples include bone and cartilage.
• Epithelial tissue is made up of cells that line inner and outer body surfaces, such as the skin and the lining of the digestive tract. Epithelial tissue protects the body and its internal organs, secretes substances such as hormones, and absorbs substances such as nutrients.
• Muscle tissue is made up of cells that have the unique ability to contract, or become shorter. Muscles attached to bones enable the body to move.
• Nervous tissue is made up of neurons , or nerve cells, that carry electrical messages. Nervous tissue makes up the brain and the nerves that connect the brain to all parts of the body.

Organs and Organ Systems

After tissues, organs are the next level of organization of the human body. An organ is a structure that consists of two or more types of tissues that work together to do the same job. Examples of human organs include the brain, heart, lungs, skin, and kidneys. Human organs are organized into organ systems, many of which are shown in Figure below . An organ system is a group of organs that work together to carry out a complex overall function. Each organ of the system does part of the larger job.

Many of the organ systems that make up the human body are represented here. What is the overall function of each organ system?

Your body’s 12 organ systems are shown below ( Table below ). Your organ systems do not work alone in your body. They must all be able to work together. For example, one of the most important functions of organ systems is to provide cells with oxygen and nutrients and to remove toxic waste products such as carbon dioxide. A number of organ systems, including the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, all work together to do this.

• The human body is organized at different levels, starting with the cell.
• Cells are organized into tissues, and tissues form organs.
• Organs are organized into organ systems such as the skeletal and muscular systems.
• What are the levels of organization of the human body?
• Which type of tissue covers the surface of the body?
• What are the functions of the skeletal system?
• Which organ system supports the body and allows it to move?
• Explain how form and function are related in human cells. Include examples.
• Compare and contrast epithelial and muscle tissues.

The Anatomy of the Human Body Essay

Introduction.

The Institute of Human Anatomy’s YouTube video, “ The Anatomy of Pain ,” visually explores the structures involved in pain’s transmission and processing. The video was selected because it provides an excellent illustration of the physical basis for pain. The new knowledge acquired is that there are two facets to every person’s experience of pain, and they work together to make the experience unique (“Institute of Human”, 2021). One is a specific, localized feeling in a section of the body, while the other is a more generalized, unpleasant quality of varied intensity that is typically accompanied by actions meant to alleviate or end the experience.

Most directly related to the video was a concept from the unit’s textbook readings on developmental psychology: a complicated matrix of peripheral and visceral neurons, the central nervous system, and the brain serve the perception of pain. While pain is the leading cause of patient visits to the doctor, it defies precise categorization since only the person experiencing it can fully understand and articulate it (Santrock, 2022). Pain is characterized by a combination of a noxious sensory experience and an unpleasant physiochemical and emotional response. Either way, it is meant to alert the person to the impending danger. It is the clinician’s responsibility to both identify and address the origins of the patient’s discomfort.

To explain the link further, various modifying elements within the neural system influence pain transmission. Many factors contribute to pain perception, including chemical modulation, the additive effects of inflammatory byproducts, and the inhibitory impact of large-diameter sensory afferent fibers. Pain is a multifaceted, biopsychosocial experience involving a wide range of neural circuits, neurochemicals, mental operations, and emotional responses (Santrock, 2022). The brain does not only take in pain signals from the body; it actively controls sensory output by descending extensions from the medulla that sway the spinal dorsal horn.

Institute of Human Anatomy. (2021). The anatomy of pain [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Santrock, J. W. (2022). A topical approach to life-span development (11 th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

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1.2 Structural Organization of the Human Body

Learning objectives.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Describe the structure of the body, from simplest to most complex
• Describe the interrelationships between the organ systems

Before you begin to study the different structures and functions of the human body, it is helpful to consider its basic architecture; that is, how its smallest parts are assembled into larger structures. It is convenient to consider the structures of the body in terms of fundamental levels of organization that increase in complexity, such as (from smallest to largest): chemicals, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and an organism.

The organization of the body often is discussed in terms of the distinct levels of increasing complexity, from the smallest chemical building blocks to a unique human organism.

The Levels of Organization

To study the chemical level of organization, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles, atoms and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements. Examples of these elements are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and iron. The smallest unit of any of these pure substances (elements) is an atom. Atoms are made up of subatomic particles such as the proton, electron and neutron. Two or more atoms combine to form a molecule, such as the water molecules, proteins, and sugars found in living things. Molecules are the chemical building blocks of all body structures.

A cell is the smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism. Single celled organisms, like bacteria, are extremely small, independently-living organisms with a cellular structure. Humans are multicellular organisms with independent cells working in concert together. Each bacterium is a single cell. All living structures of human anatomy contain cells, and almost all functions of human physiology are performed in cells or are initiated by cells.

A human cell typically consists of flexible membranes that enclose cytoplasm, a water-based cellular fluid, with a variety of tiny functioning units called organelles . In humans, as in all organisms, cells perform all functions of life.

A tissue is a group of many similar cells (though sometimes composed of a few related types) that work together to perform a specific function. An organ is an anatomically distinct structure of the body composed of two or more tissue types. Each organ performs one or more specific physiological functions. An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet physiological needs of the body.

This book covers eleven distinct organ systems in the human body ( Figure 1.2.2 ). Assigning organs to organ systems can be imprecise since organs that “belong” to one system can also have functions integral to another system. In fact, most organs contribute to more than one system.

The organism level is the highest level of organization. An organism is a living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life. In multi-cellular organisms, including humans, all cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body work together to maintain the life and health of the organism.

Chapter Review

Life processes of the human body are maintained at several levels of structural organization. These include the chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and the organism level. Higher levels of organization are built from lower levels. Therefore, molecules combine to form cells, cells combine to form tissues, tissues combine to form organs, organs combine to form organ systems, and organ systems combine to form organisms.

Review Questions

Critical thinking questions.

Cancers are defined by uncontrolled growth at the cellular level. Describe why cancer is a problem for the organism as a whole using your understanding of the levels of organization.

Cellular problems create issues at more complex levels of organization. For example, a tumor can interrupt the function of the organ it is in, despite the fact that it is a molecular mutation with direct cellular implications.

The female ovaries and the male testes are a part of which body system? Can these organs be members of more than one organ system? Why or why not?

The female ovaries and the male testes are parts of the reproductive system. They also secrete hormones, as does the endocrine system, therefore, ovaries and testes function within both the endocrine and reproductive systems.

This work, Anatomy & Physiology, is adapted from Anatomy & Physiology by OpenStax , licensed under CC BY . This edition, with revised content and artwork, is licensed under CC BY-SA except where otherwise noted.

Images, from Anatomy & Physiology by OpenStax , are licensed under CC BY except where otherwise noted.

Access the original for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction .

Anatomy & Physiology Copyright © 2019 by Lindsay M. Biga, Staci Bronson, Sierra Dawson, Amy Harwell, Robin Hopkins, Joel Kaufmann, Mike LeMaster, Philip Matern, Katie Morrison-Graham, Kristen Oja, Devon Quick, Jon Runyeon, OSU OERU, and OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Body Image — The beauty of the human body

The Beauty of The Human Body

• Categories: Body Image

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Words: 1544 |

Published: Sep 12, 2018

Words: 1544 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

Works Cited

• Brazier, Y. (2017). The media's influence on body image disturbance and eating disorders: We've reviled them, now can we rehabilitate them? Journal of Eating Disorders, 5(1), 1-7.
• Brown University. (n.d.). Body image and the media. Retrieved from https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/promotion/nutrition-eating-concerns/eating-concerns/body-image-and-media
• Conway, K. (2013). Media and body image. The Prevention Researcher, 20(3), 8-11.
• Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2016). Social media and body image concerns: Current research and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 9, 1-5.
• GoodTherapy.org. (n.d.). Body image and the media. Retrieved from https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/body-image-media
• Jowett, S., Jarvie, I. C., & Fuller, J. (1969). The media and socialization. In S. Jowett & L. O'Donnell (Eds.), Propaganda and persuasion (pp. 109-126). Sage Publications.
• Kirsh, S. J. (2010). Media and youth: A developmental perspective. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 1(2), 162-171.
• Sparhawk, K. (2003). Cognitive influences on body image dissatisfaction: A review of theory and research. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 22(2), 138-156.
• Starker, S. (1989). Ideologies of the image of the body in film. Cultural Studies, 3(3), 381-398.
• University of Minnesota. (n.d.). Body image and the media. Retrieved from https://www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/projects/bodyimage/effects/

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Is the Body a Limit for the Human Being?

1. introduction.

This text aims to explore the concept of the body understood as a limit for the human being. It is necessary to understand how human essence can be limited by the body. However, when considering only the religious conception of body tutelage, it can cut the complexity of human corporeity, thus not fully representing representations of the body by the human being. In addition, it is also necessary to consider concepts that understand the body not only through the physiological field but also through the conceptual field. It is important to understand the body as part of being in the world and as a source of experiences. In this sense, it is also necessary to provide a concept of personism and respect for the body of the patient in order to respect him in a more complete way. How to analyze the mere human body without denoting what is understood as a human being or person? It is difficult to attribute the term human being only to the body since the concept is widely used under the condition of personal attributes. Is there a difference in the conceptual treatment of body and person? We often perceive ourselves and the other person in a gentler way, calling each other as our image and making use of personal attributes aimed at individuals. In some cases, we operate a person totally outside the body, separating these two entities into a singularity. These individuals, often re-dubbed as patients when they are sick, exhibit a physiological depersonalization. The goal of this text is to discuss these concepts and analyze whether it really makes sense to perceive human beings in that way.

1.1. Background and Significance

The body is the most intimate dimension of the human being and also the most remote from a theoretical approach. Our experiences regarding the body are day-to-day and possess relative personal meanings which transform constantly. Each culture studies the body by constructing norms of the moral and aesthetic signs, which privilege certain functions and hinder others. However, sometimes the control of the social rules of the body is questioned, and new possibilities for living this dimension appear, breaking space of freedom for creativity, absurdity, and libertinism. Otherwise, the anthropological sciences developed their greatest attention to the body taking the existence of a strong duality between body and person for granted. The body, in many of these studies, is only something material, or biologized (and medicalized), organic design for generalized psychological and affective inquiries. There also exist, although it is relatively less frequent, the consideration of the body as something negative or an antinatural element of the individual's development and that would need to be opposed spiritually.

2. Philosophical Perspectives on the Body

One way to interpret a theme refers to the understanding of the body as a barrier to the spiritual or moral improvement of the human being. Refusing the body means considering that desire, humor, sensitivity, and appetite are dangerous or low emotions that arise in us exactly due to material existence, which always mixes the mind and the senses. Chemis, Italy, says that Aristotle is opposed to that differentiation of the body and soul, claiming that they throw themselves out of their being, as if above them there were a robot that represented the person in one or another circumstance. According to Aristotle, there can be no distinction in the body's will and reason, slot and heart, desire and justice, hands and intelligence. The body is situated at the beginning of its action before the others, as it turns out that, according to why it is its end, that the spiritual part suffers the delay. We should not fall into the temptation to see only the spiritual interests as higher, while the material ones will be lower. The body has a high value, participates essentially in the human being, and numbering this dialogue creates the conditions for the expression of the supremacy of the spiritual and the inviolability of autonomy. A view shared by Hegel, Nietzsche, Merleau-Ponty, thinkers for whom a person becomes an absolute entity only with the body, in being this that holds and communicates his consciousness and freedom, because the previous ones attribute the body other functions. The body as the limit of the human being is thus represented in a form of expression that passes simultaneously through the articulation of desire, temperance, and virtue, the sense of ethics, the point according to Kant, denying that the object is a pleasure that allowed its freedom, tolerating the unit between body and spirit. On the basis of our present research, we support the idea according to which it is not possible to refuse the body without refusing the physical and bodily order.

3. Biological and Physiological Limitations

In this third section, we will analyze some of the limitations attributed to the human being which are popularly linked to its nature as a living being, based on the fact that, when analyzing the functioning of the human being, the physical components are evident, which condition important aspects such as the evolutionary path and the life processes, which are linked to inalterable biological factors. Many of the limitations on the functioning of the human being reveal those which, due to a different number of factors, cannot be changed, and even various kinds of technical means are not always sufficient to improve or restore their functioning. It is here that we can speak of what are commonly called human limitations. These limitations refer to fixed points, without variations (or with very limited variations), of the human functioning, which are determined, directly or indirectly, by the physical component of the human body, subject to biological laws, and even if they are independent of the person or his will, they can have huge personal, social, or commercial implications, with which individuals must live, to a certain extent, or try to fight/overcome (quite often without success). They comprise, in particular, aspects of the physical condition of the human being that cannot be changed, but also that can be altered or subjected to various forms of physical and psychological support to contribute to the improvement of personal well-being.

4. Cultural and Societal Influences

In many cases, our behaviors go through a long chain of cultural and societal influences, and the same happens with our ideas. Established ideas prevail in a society because they are the result of a construction that does not happen by chance. Anthropology brings light to these ideas and on how much these behaviors and basic notions have their roots deeply stored in "otherness," that is, what is different, divergent, and that, to an extent may, in fact, in a modest sociological construction, help to mold human understandings and values, bringing to them a roughly equal format across the continents. We are not referring to a statement that all sociocultural constructions are concentric and equal, but in fact, despite the particularity of each culture, humanity is highly similar. This similarity allows sharing a huge gap of knowledge. This is the reason why we understand the importance of a more theoretical framework of the inner convoy of our native sociocultural symbolic practices. The Field of Viagens (Field of journeys) is also dedicated to the study of people's movements around the world, as well as the hypothetical trajectories of the first movements of conquest and exploration that humanity undertook over 40,000 years ago. Using the metaphor of a train station, we mull over the fact that the traffic of people has deep repercussions in the simultaneous motion of abstract and conceptual vehicles in today's emerging cultures.

5. Technological Advancements and the Expansion of Limits

All the preceding ideas show the vast potential for new technologies to help the human being exceed his limits, no matter what these capacities might be. Research data is rapidly coming to light that confirms the strength of new possibilities. Fundamentally, these data come from experiences that are not directly related to the emergence of new forms of knowledge. For example, there are already new formulations of the physical nature of the human being when these beings have different qualities that cross historical, geographical, and subjective barriers. There are physical results of the application of new technologies, such as music or reading being made available to patients deprived of the necessary senses for the use of each of them. In the same manner, we are able to put to use the expression "half-human, half-robot" to indicate those beings who have within themselves more prosthesis than flesh, blood, bones, and organs. Similarly, we have heard that we can already conduct electroencephalography on paralyzed individuals, making it that much less absurd if one can transmit our mental signals across long distances. The integrated exploration of these paths from these emerging questions represents the aim of the current paper. The objective that binds together our reflection emerges from our awareness that we live in a time that is richer in expanding possibilities. These possibilities define themselves, very fundamentally, in the sharing of knowledge from new experiences that manifest these same advances. In this manner, conducting a laborious investigation into the topics that identify each of these questions requires a great deal of work, continuous and unflagging efforts, which at times exceed the time available. Hence, we have formulated new ways of understanding these paths and have sought to present material that can stimulate readers to seek their own paths and, at the same time, what seems likely is for ever-more universal knowledge to emerge, whether this be obvious, like the quantity of material available, or emerging from the destination that is given to the means that are, paradoxically in some cases, disposable, due to great advances in surgery.

6. Conclusion and Future Implications

Body limits the human being. Merleau-Ponty said that: "It would be right also to say, instead, the body totally limits the human being, since it is always the body which advances events in significance." Here, I take up this point by analyzing the concept of the body, taking into account the phenomenological perspective as addressed by Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The text is based on pertinent studies about the presence of the body. Throughout the work and after the end, we realize that the body is a limit to the achievement of the person because it is thanks to the body that one is connected with the world, and also because the body is the basis of a person's intersubjectivity. This means that the human person can only be based on interrelationship through the body. If its body were to disappear, it would no longer be a human person. The body is an invisible limit that never allows it to be the basis of a reflective account. We all have a body, but we are not able to give an account of it. It is always Ortega y Gasset who tells us that we never see what we believe most of all to see every day. At this point, the body is seen as a way to know oneself. Through the phenomenological analysis, we have a notion about the presence of the body, according to Merleau-Ponty, which is fundamental and makes sense. In this context, the body is an invincible limit to the human being. In conclusion, discussing the concept of the body is fundamental for an accurate reflection about the human being, an indispensable presence for its end. In this work, based on the phenomenological concept within philosophy, the body is always present in the life of the human being, who is the only being that is blocked by the body itself, both physically and ontologically. The body always precedes any activity undertaken by the person. There are no activities without the body; however, many activities can exist without the person. This indicates that the body is beyond consciousness. The body is always a stage that reveals the life of the person. It never stamps itself. Finally, the person of the body is the driver that establishes the guidelines to carry out the social-materialist point of relations with the world.

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Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History Essays

Charles james (1906–1978).

Evening dress

Charles James

"La Sirène"

Wedding dress

Dinner suit

"Clover Leaf"

Jan Glier Reeder The Costume Institute, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Anglo-American designer Charles James was recognized even in his heyday as a genius in the art of sculpting fabric into inventive fashions. While he produced fewer than a thousand garments over the forty-year span of his career, today he holds cult status in fashion circles, as much for his legacy of unforgettable clothes as for the magnetic force of his complex personality and his unorthodox creative process. Never having had formal dressmaking training, he developed his own methodology based on mathematical, architectural, and sculptural concepts as they relate to the human body. His venturesome and wholly original methods inspired and fascinated his contemporaries as well as the generations of designers and admirers of his fashions who followed.

Early Life and London Career A contemporary of American designers Gilbert Adrian, Norman Norell, and, on the other side of the Atlantic, Christian Dior , James was born in 1906 in Surrey, England, of English and American parentage. His mother hailed from a socially prominent Chicago family and his father was a British military officer. Raised and educated in England, he initiated his design career in 1926, at the age of nineteen, as a milliner in Chicago using the name “Boucheron.” Two years later, he set up a fledgling dressmaking business in New York, where one of his first commissions was to design sporting togs for the actress Gertrude Lawrence. Returning to his British roots in 1929, he began to establish ties with influential figures in London and Paris, which, after several failed attempts, led by the mid-1930s to a viable dressmaking business conducted from 15 Bruton Street, London, and the Lancaster Hotel in Paris. Recognized for his iconoclastic approach to dressmaking, he traveled in circles orbited by artistic and creative luminaries such as Cecil Beaton, Stephen Tennant, Pavel Tchelitchew, Jean Cocteau, and Salvador Dalí. Couturiers Paul Poiret , Elsa Schiaparelli , Cristobal Balenciaga , and Christian Dior were also among his acquaintances and early supporters. Dior in fact attributed his New Look designs to a James idea. These associations profoundly affected James’ artistic development and, on a more practical level, provided the contacts he needed to develop relationships with sartorially adventuresome women from English society. Among these were Mary St. John Hutchinson, writer and mistress of Bloomsbury artist Clive Bell; Anne, countess of Rosse, sister of the set designer Oliver Messel; the dancer Tilly Losch; and the then-debutante Marit Guinness Aschan, who later became a renowned enamelist. During the London/Paris years, James developed a lifelong fascination with complex cut and seaming, creating key design elements and forms that he would use throughout his career—the wrapover trouser skirt, the body-hugging “Sirène” dress, ribbon capes and dresses, spiral-cut garments, front-point drapery, and poufs, examples of which are shown here.

New York Career James left London and moved permanently to New York in late 1939. By 1945, after briefly working for Elizabeth Arden, whose showroom he designed, James had gained sufficient recognition to open his own workroom and salon at 699 Madison Avenue. From there he worked in the pure couture tradition , custom-designing, fitting, and creating new forms for America’s most prominent and stylish women, among them the style-setting heiress Millicent Rogers; the art patron Dominique de Menil; Austine McDonnell Hearst, journalist and wife of publisher William Randolph Hearst Jr.; and the entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee. Although his artistic perfectionism and conflicted psychological makeup led him to behave erratically and irresponsibly in all areas of his life, his clients clamored to be dressed by him and went to great lengths to support him artistically and financially. In a 1957 letter held in the Brooklyn Museum archives, Dominique de Menil wrote to Director Edgar C. Schenck: “My husband and I consider Charles James to be one of the most original and universal designers of this period and in this country. . . . Traveling as we do . . . we are amazed to see how many dresses from the Paris Couture actually can be traced back to Charles James.”

James was at the height of his popularity and productivity in the early 1950s. The culminating design of his dressmaking career was, in his opinion, a 1953 ball gown with an undulating four-lobed skirt known as the “Abstract,” or “Four-Leaf Clover.” Created initially for Austine McDonnell Hearst to wear to the Eisenhower inaugural ball, it merged James’ skills as a sculptor, architect, and engineer in one spectacular statement. Perhaps buoyed by this achievement, he went on to design several equally memorable models in the following two years—the “Butterfly,” “Tree,” and “Swan” gowns, each having profusions of multicolored tulle, and the spare, body-hugging “Diamond,” the structural and formal opposite of the others. Aside from his ball gowns, the outstanding designs of the early 1950s were his innovative sculptural coats produced in association with the manufacturers William S. Popper and Dressmaker Casuals. These associations, like several others, were, however, short-lived, as James’ perfectionism and difficult artistic temperament ran counter to the demands of the ready-to-wear environment. He received prestigious awards from his peers in the fashion industry, including two Coty awards in 1950 and 1954, which cited his masterful skills as a colorist, draper, and sculptor. Neiman-Marcus as well bestowed acknowledgment for his outstanding contributions to the fashion industry in 1953.

In 1952, James expanded his business, moving from his cramped quarters at 699 Madison Avenue to two locations—a workroom at 716 Madison Avenue, where he instituted wholesale manufacturing along with custom work, and a showroom at the highly prestigious address 12 East 57th Street. Despite this success, his reputation began to wane mid-decade as economic woes, brought on by a lifelong pattern of fiscal irresponsibility, endless litigation, and an inability to work within the mainstream fashion industry, engulfed him. He vacated his workshop and showroom in 1958, but continued to work in reduced circumstances, tirelessly perfecting former designs and formulating new ones, and, most significantly, developing projects that would preserve his legacy. The last fourteen years of his life were spent in rooms at the Chelsea Hotel on West 23rd Street, New York’s legendary haven for artists down on their luck. There he maintained a coterie of devoted clients, friends, and admirers with whom he worked and held court until his death.

Summary of Styles and Techniques James’ oeuvre is diverse and complex, the result of a restless creative force that was constantly pushing the boundaries of convention and his own previous accomplishments. Because his designs took many forms with countless variations, they are hard to characterize or classify. Some are elegant and timeless, while others are odd and controversial, having insectlike, vertebral, or other biomorphic features. Some incorporate the essence of modernity, while still others are updated versions of Victorian fashions.

One of James’ credos was that there are a limited number of shapes and silhouettes but innumerable variations on them. He followed this tenet throughout his career by reusing and reworking forms and components once he had developed them, but always in different combinations, a method that resulted in wholly new compositions. No matter what type of garment or shape he was creating, James used the female body as the point of reference rather than the defining factor of his formulation. Some of his designs cleave to the body, relying solely on cut, seams, and inventive ways of manipulating the fabric to achieve style and fit; others enhance and idealize its natural form with interior padding, corsetlike boning, and exterior drapery; and still others reshape the body into fantastic silhouettes that stand away from it. In these latter instances, he used one of two methods to achieve the effect: rigid, confining understructures, often modeled on Victorian prototypes such as the corset, bustle, and crinoline ; or, conversely, perfectly calibrated cut, fabric choice, and variations in placement of grain and seams based on geometric principles . He considered the space between the body and the fabric to be the crucial design focus when planning these standaway shapes. Within all of this diversity there are also constants: James’ offbeat yet sublime color sense, his artistry with combining fabrics having different surfaces and textures, and the exhilarating tracery of seams that follow the curves of the body, dissect it like a knife, or taper into infinity at the end of a dart.

Because they are the epitome of elegance and originality, as much sculpture as glamorous raiment, the incomparable evening dresses James produced between 1947 and 1955 are the designs for which he is best remembered. Yet his tailored suits, coats, and more understated daywear are equal objects of admiration. In these, his methods of achieving precise fit and resolving volumetric and proportional challenges, as well as his seemingly endless variations on collars, lapels, and sleeves, are most apparent, further signifiers of the range and perfectionism of his art.

Formation of the Charles James Collection at the Brooklyn Museum Drawn to the Brooklyn Museum’s reputation for teaching and inspiring new design through accessibility to the collections, James selected it to document his career and care for his legacy. Using his prodigious powers of persuasion, he convinced his most important clients and benefactors—Hearst, Rogers, and de Menil among them—to donate and, in some instances, purchase significant designs representing what he referred to as the “corpus” of his work. He is thereby largely responsible for the museum’s definitive holdings—nearly 200 garments and 600 related materials such as patterns, full sewn muslins, dress forms, and sketches. With the transfer of the Brooklyn Museum’s costume collection to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this extraordinarily rich trove is now part of The Costume Institute ’s collection.

Reeder, Jan Glier. “Charles James (1906–1978).” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/cjam/hd_cjam.htm (March 2012)

Further Reading

Coleman, Elizabeth Ann. The Genius of Charles James . New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1982.

Long, Timothy A. Charles James: Genius Deconstructed . Chicago: Chicago History Museum, 2011.

Martin, Richard. Charles James . London: Thames & Hudson, 1997.

Reeder, Jan Glier. High Style: Masterpieces from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art . New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010.

Additional Essays by Jan Glier Reeder

• Reeder, Jan Glier. “ Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) .” (May 2011)

Related Essays

• Costume in The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Design, 1925–50
• Twentieth-Century Silhouette and Support
• Christian Dior (1905–1957)
• Cristobal Balenciaga (1895–1972)
• Design Reform
• Design, 1900–1925
• Design, 1950–75
• Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973)
• Geometric Abstraction
• Haute Couture
• Nineteenth-Century Silhouette and Support
• The Nude in Baroque and Later Art
• Paul Poiret (1879–1944)

List of Rulers

• Presidents of the United States of America
• The United States and Canada, 1900 A.D.–present
• Great Britain and Ireland
• Mermaid / Merman
• Mythical Creature
• North America
• Plant Motif
• Preparatory Study
• Synthetic Material
• Undergarment
• United States
• Women Artists

Artist or Maker

• Balenciaga, Cristobal
• Dalí, Salvador
• Dior, Christian
• James, Charles
• Poiret, Paul
• Schiaparelli, Elsa

Online Features

• 82nd & Fifth: “Hipster” by Jan Glier Reeder
• Connections: “Trees” by Daniëlle Kisluk-Grosheide

25 amazing facts about the human body you may not know

Posted: March 23, 2024 | Last updated: March 24, 2024

25 facts you may not know about the organs in your body

Although humans have lived with the same bodies for millennia, we are still exploring and uncovering new parts, processes, and functions every year.

Researchers continue to discover new organs; for example, mesentery, which was previously thought to be a fragmented series of tissues, was reclassified as a single organ in 2017 . What's more, procedures to repair organs are also evolving rapidly. Just last March, doctors were able to perform groundbreaking brain surgery on a baby —while she was still in the womb.

There are 79 organs in the human body, spanning the muscular, nervous, endocrine, skeletal, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

But not all organs are created equal. Of these, five are considered vital: the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs . While these heavy hitters keep us alive and functioning, there are plenty of organs we can live without. The appendix, spleen, reproductive organs, and colon are just a few of the many organs that, while helpful to our bodily processes, aren't necessary for survival . In 2021, a record high of 41,354 organ transplants took place in the U.S. , including 24,669 kidney transplants, 9,236 liver transplants, and 3,817 heart transplants.

Stacker compiled a list of facts on 25 major organs in your body. Read on to see what you know about human anatomy.

Your liver performs 500 vital functions.

The liver processes all the blood that travels out of the stomach and intestines . During this process, the organ excretes bile, regulates chemical levels, creates nutrients, and metabolizes drugs. These are just some of the more than 500 vital functions the liver performs, which also include preventing blood from clotting and producing cholesterol.

It can take up to five hours for the small intestine to complete all of its digestive tasks.

The small intestine is the longest piece of the gastrointestinal tract that food travels through on its way out of the body and it's food's first stop immediately after leaving the stomach; most of the digestion process takes place here. It can take up to five hours for the small intestine to complete all of its digestive tasks , which include breaking food down, absorbing its nutrients, extracting water, and then passing food along to the large intestine.

The appendix is often called useless, but it may be important for immunity.

Also part of the gastrointestinal tract, the appendix is located in the lower abdomen and attached to the large intestine. However, it hasn't been observed to play any role in aiding digestion. It is thought that the appendix may promote immune system health by producing immunoglobulin A. Many people get this finger-shaped organ removed after experiencing inflammation, which hasn't been observed to have any negative side effects on the body.

Your immune system contains hundreds of lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes are small and shaped like a bean—and your immune system contains hundreds of them. The primary function of lymph nodes is to filter out lymphatic fluid, as well as to deploy white blood cells as part of the body's defense against infection. Lymph nodes are found grouped together in the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin. 

It's technically possible to live without your pancreas.

Part of the digestive system, the pancreas is located in the back of the abdomen. It is a gland—that is, an organ that produces a substance. The two main functions of the pancreas are to produce enzymes that promote digestion and to release hormones that regulate sugar levels in the blood. Although it is technically possible to live without your pancreas, this would require taking enzyme supplements and insulin shots to regulate blood sugar in an alternative way.

Your heart is about the size of two clenched fists.

The heart is the primary organ of the circulatory system. It contains four main chambers and is about the size of one clenched fist for a child and two for an adult. The heart is controlled by electrical impulses sent by the brain and nervous system. Though its primary role is to pump blood throughout the body via valves and blood vessels, it also regulates blood pressure and heart rate.

The bronchi direct air to your left or right lung.

We each have two of these organs, which are part of the respiratory system and sit inside the chest and connect to your lungs. Once air is breathed in, it moves through the bronchi, which direct it to either the left or right lung . Besides carrying air to the lungs, the bronchi (singular: bronchus) also moisturize the air and clear it of mucus and particles each time you cough or swallow.

There are two main types of arteries in your body.

Part of the cardiovascular system, the arteries exist in many varieties throughout the body, serving everything from the brain to the legs to the spine, and much more. They  transport blood from the heart to every other part of the body , thus distributing oxygen, nutrients, and hormones that keep the cells healthy and working. Elastic arteries act as receptacles, blood's first stop once it leaves the heart; muscular arteries then take this blood and spread it around the body's systems.

The brain weighs about three pounds.

The brain makes up one-half of the central nervous system. It weighs about three pounds for adults and is made up of fat, water, proteins, carbohydrates, and salts. Through receiving and sending chemical and electrical signals, the brain controls everything from pain to memory to fatigue to speech . It has four main parts: the frontal lobe dictates smell, decision-making, personality, speech, and movement; the parietal lobe controls spatial understanding, pain, touch, understanding speech, and identifying objects; the occipital lobe creates vision; and finally, the temporal lobe is involved in short-term memory and musical rhythm.

The thyroid affects every system in your body.

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck and is part of the endocrine system. By making and distributing certain hormones throughout the body, the thyroid gland affects every system in the body . The thyroid's main function is to control your metabolic rate, which is the speed at which your body turns food into energy. It also affects your heart rate, breathing, body temperature, digestion, fertility, and mental health, among many other functions.

Your lungs help you take 12 to 20 breaths per minute.

Twelve to 20 times per minute, the lungs take inhaled air , cleanse it of carbon dioxide, and release it into the rest of the body. Through this process, oxygen travels to the heart, from where it is then distributed to all other organs. Lungs can be strengthened through regular exercise. 

The large intestine stretches to six feet long.

The large intestine is the last stop for food being digested along the gastrointestinal system. After being processed in the small intestine, food enters the large intestine , where it is solidified into waste and stored until it is excreted. The large intestine—also known as the colon—carries this out by dehydrating liquified food and breaking it down via internal bacteria. When unraveled, this organ stretches to six feet long.

The larger your larynx, the deeper your voice.

Also known as a voice box, the larynx contains the vocal cords . Its primary function is to create sounds to form speech, but it also aids in breathing and catching food and other substances from getting caught in the lungs. Generally, the larger a larynx is, the deeper the person's voice will be.

Your spleen is particularly susceptible to injury.

Roughly the size of an avocado in adults, your spleen rests within the left rib cage above the stomach and is part of the lymphatic system. This organ  performs a variety of functions that keep the body healthy , including storing and filtering blood; producing white blood cells and antibodies; and maintaining internal fluid levels. The spleen is particularly susceptible to injury and disorders, and some individuals may have to have the organ removed via a splenectomy.

The mesentery holds your intestines in place.

The mesentery is a series of tissues that secure the intestines to the walls of the abdomen. Though previously thought to be separate organs, researchers recently redefined it as a single organ . Besides preventing the intestines from collapsing into the pelvic region, the mesentery also stores lymph nodes and produces proteins. When inflamed, this organ could be affected by Crohn's Disease, in which individuals can suffer diarrhea as well as difficulties absorbing the nutrients from food.

Your esophagus is key to transporting food into your digestive system.

You might mistake this organ for the trachea, which looks and is situated similarly. However, while the trachea operates within the respiratory system, the esophagus plays a function within the digestive system. Its main role is to move food and liquids down the throat and to the stomach . It does this through a series of muscular contractions: after you swallow, food moves to the throat, and the esophagus begins to push it downwards, while other muscles close to prevent it from traveling up the nose or towards the windpipe.

Your stomach is shaped like a J.

The stomach sits along the gastrointestinal tract and connects to the small intestine. The J-shaped organ plays a key role in digestion by storing and breaking down food . It does this by producing a mixture of enzymes and acids that mix and disintegrate food. The stomach then holds this mixture until it is ready to move on to the small intestine.

Your bladder can hold around two cups of liquid before emptying.

The bladder makes up one-fourth of the urinary tract. This organ  first receives urine from the kidneys . Once the bladder is full, a person will feel an urge to urinate, at which time the bladder helps expel the liquids by contracting and pushing urine into the urethra. This organ is balloon-shaped and can store around two cups of liquid before emptying. 

Your thymus starts decreasing in size post-puberty.

The thymus is part of the lymphatic system and is a gland that is most active during childhood. It starts working even while you're still in utero, and starts slowing its work and decreasing in size post-puberty. Its main function is to process and specialize T-cells , which are a type of white blood cell. After T-cells are passed from the bone marrow to the thymus, they mature there before entering the blood and playing a central role in the body's immune system. The thymus also creates and releases many hormones, all of which support the immune system.  

Your kidneys filter a bathtub's worth of fluid daily.

The kidneys are a central part of the urinary system, receiving and filtering around 200 quarts—or a large bathtub's worth—of fluid daily . After you swallow liquids, the kidneys extract waste from them and turn them into urine, passing them on to the bladder to eventually be expelled. The kidneys also play a role in balancing the body's levels of water and electrolytes. Kidneys are commonly donated between individuals. People in high-impact accidents, or who have diabetes or high blood pressure, are at risk of losing one. 

Your tongue is one of the most visible parts of the digestive system.

The tongue is mostly made up of muscles and is one of the most visible parts of the digestive system. It plays an essential part in allowing a person to chew, speak, and breathe . It does this by moving food around the mouth, working with the larynx to form vocal sounds, and keeping the airways of the lungs accessible. The tongue is also covered in taste buds, which are nerve cells that transmit the five basic taste sensations to our brain: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and savory.

Your skin is your body's largest organ.

The skin is the body's first defense against bacteria, injury, and temperature fluctuations. It's the body's largest organ and has three layers. The outer layer, the epidermis, works as a protective barrier and continually produces new skin cells throughout the day. The middle layer, the dermis, grows hair, allows you to feel touch and temperature, and produces sweat. Finally, the bottom layer, the hypodermis, provides a fatty cushion for organs and regulates body temperature. Along with our hair, nails, and oil and sweat glands, our skin makes up the integumentary system.

The fallopian tubes transport eggs through the reproductive system.

The fallopian tubes act as pathways connecting the ovaries to the uterus . After eggs leave the ovaries each month during ovulation, they sit in the fallopian tubes, where they are fertilized if sperm makes its way into the reproductive system. Once fertilized, the embryo travels through the fallopian tubes to reach the uterus, where it will implant and remain for the rest of the pregnancy. 

Your throat is made up of muscle.

The throat connects the mouth and nose to the lungs and is comprised of the pharynx and larynx . It's shaped like a tube and is made up of muscle. When air, food, or liquids enter the mouth or nose, they travel immediately to the throat, which then sends them on to either the lungs or the esophagus. Besides eating, drinking, and breathing, the throat also helps the larynx produce speech sounds.

Your tonsils kill bacteria in your mouth.

If you open your mouth wide enough, you'll be able to see your tonsils, which sit in a pair at the back of the throat. It is part of the immune system. When bacteria enter the body through the nose or mouth, they are filtered out by the tonsils , which act as a barrier and repel infection. Tonsils contain many white blood cells that help them kill germs. If the tonsils become infected and are removed via a tonsillectomy, the body will still be able to find other ways to fight off infection and germs. Data reporting by Emma Rubin. Story editing by Brian Budzynski. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Abigail Renaud.

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