What Is the Endocrine System? The endocrine system is made up of glands that make hormones. Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. They carry information and instructions from one set of cells to another. The endocrine (pronounced: EN-duh-krin) system influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. What Does the Endocrine System Do? …
What Are Ears and What Do They Do? The ear is made up of three different sections that work together to collect sounds and send them to the brain: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The Outer Ear The outer ear is made up of the pinna — also called the …
What Is the Digestive System? Food is our fuel, and its nutrients give our bodies’ cells the energy and substances they need to work. But before food can do that, it must be digested into small pieces the body can absorb and use. The first step in the digestive process happens before we even taste …
What Does the Brain Do? The brain controls what you think and feel, how you learn and remember, and the way you move and talk. But it also controls things you’re less aware of — like the beating of your heart and the digestion of your food. Think of the brain as a central computer …
What Are Bones and What Do They Do? Bones provide support for our bodies and help form our shape. Although they’re very light, bones are strong enough to support our entire weight. Bones also protect the organs in our bodies. The skull protects the brain and forms the shape of the face. The spinal cord, a pathway …
Humans can’t live without blood. Without blood, the body’s organs couldn’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive, we couldn’t keep warm or cool off, fight infections, or get rid of our own waste products. Without enough blood, we’d weaken and die. Here are the basics about the life-sustaining fluid called blood. What …
Did you ever wonder what all those complex body systems do? These Body Basics articles explain just how each body system, part, and process works. Use this medical library to find out about basic human anatomy, how it all functions, and what happens when things go wrong. Blood Bones, Muscles, and Joints Brain and Nervous …
What Is a Tattoo? A tattoo is a permanent kind of body art. A design is made by puncturing the skin with needles and injecting ink, dyes, and pigments into the deep layer of the skin. Tattoos used to be done manually — that is, the tattoo artist would puncture the skin with a needle …
What Is a Body Piercing? A body piercing is just what it sounds like — a piercing or puncture made in the body by a needle. After that, a piece of jewelry is inserted in the hole. Commonly pierced body parts are the ears, nose, and the belly button. Oral piercings include the lip, cheek, …
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