Six
Surprising Facts About the Human Body
The human body is an amazing and complex machine that we take for granted. We go about our daily lives without thinking about the remarkable processes that keep us alive and healthy. Here are six cool and unexpected facts about our bodies that might surprise you.
1. You're taller in the morning than at night
You might not realize it, but you're actually a bit taller when you wake up in the morning than you are when you go to bed at night. This is because your spinal disks are compressed during the day as you stand and sit, and then decompress while you sleep. The result is that you can be up to a full inch taller in the morning.
2. Your skin sheds constantly
Our skin is constantly rejuvenating itself, and that means shedding old cells. In fact, you shed about 30,000 to 50,000 dead skin cells every minute. That may sound gross, but it's actually a necessary and healthy process that helps keep our skin fresh and clean.
3. You have a "third eyelid"
Most people don't realize it, but humans have a vestigial third eyelid, called the plica semilunaris. This small, crescent-shaped flap of tissue is located in the corner of the eye nearest the nose, and it is thought to help protect and lubricate the eye.
4. Your brain can shrink
As we age, our brains can actually shrink in size. This is because nerve cells in the brain begin to die off, and the connections between cells become weaker. The result is that our brains can lose up to 10% of their volume by the time we reach our 70s or 80s.
5. Your tongue is unique
Just like fingerprints, each person's tongue is completely unique. This is because the bumps and ridges on our tongues, called papillae, are different in size, shape, and distribution for every individual. In fact, some forensic scientists have even used tongue prints as a method of identification.
6. You have a "sixth sense"
Most of us are familiar with the five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. But did you know that humans also have a "sixth sense" called proprioception? This is the ability to sense the position and movement of our body without actually seeing it. It's what allows us to touch our nose with our eyes closed, or to walk in a straight line without looking down.
So there you have it - six surprising facts about the human body that you might not have known before. Next time you look in the mirror or stretch after waking up, remember how amazing and intricate our bodies truly are.
