The Body

One of life's most pressing questions, explained.

They call it the interstitium.

It's your body's largest organ.

Our bodies contain up to 100,000 miles of blood vessels.

Sure, it's a titillating subject—but it's also a pretty versatile body part.

This self-soothing behavior is actually a pretty effective technique for temporarily calming pain signals to the brain. Here's how it works.

Things are not always as they seem.

It's the thinnest part of the skull … which is why Maori warriors crafted a special weapon to crush it.

Its developers hope it sparks the next generation of total artificial hearts.

The pelvis is not actually a single body part, but a term that refers to a collection of bones, muscles and organs below the waist.

This mysterious little body part is a surprising source of controversy among researchers.

2. Hot testicles can cause health and fertility problems.

Smoking can cause breasts to droop, but breastfeeding doesn't.

Though you might not often think about them, lymph nodes are crucial for your immune system.

At its largest point, the sciatic nerve is about as big around as a man's thumb—plenty big enough to be an important part of the nervous system.

Let's go for the jugular.

It's not your sweat that stinks.

Did you know opposable thumbs may have played a role in the development of language?

Without this crucial joint, many daily activities would be impossible.

Your stomach may very well be a key player in keeping your mood balanced.

3. Once a year, have a professional look at it.

This butterfly-shaped gland influences every cell in your body.

Your tongue isn't just important for tasting. Here are a few underappreciated facts about the most flexible muscle in your body.

We're still learning about one of the most important structures of the brain.