Design of the human body

[Winston001]

Recovering from a spinal injury I got to thinking..........

I've wondered for some time about the efficiency of creature's bodies - including homo sapiens. Almost every animal has a head situated upon a neck. Within that head resides the brain which is the critical organ for survival. Mammals, insects, reptiles, birds. Fish are the exception, and even then the brain is at one end. Not sure about amoeba and bacteria.

Now, the brain is so important that I can't see why evolution would allow it to sit in such an exposed position. Why not position the brain in, say, the chest? By all means have a head with eyes and ears, but for goodness sake protect the machine which is critical to survival. And the brain would then be closer to the spine for running the central nervous system.

There's another thing - why expose the spine on one side of the body? Yes its needed for skeletal purposes but why not a central spine with two rib cages?

After all, our bodies are complex constructions anyway and these variations wouldn't be any more strange than what we already have.

So I'm interested in your ideas.

[Thaeos]

Well ... because there is no design. No thought has gone into it whatsoever. It is not an intelligent process with considerations for what we think would be better or would make humans stronger/more resistant to damage.

[Slyer]

Indeed. Evolution by definition isn't planned, the species tends towards improvement slowly over a long period of time.
We have so many back problems because our spines have evolved from fish spines. The spines have adapted a lot for upright walking but you can only ever adapt so much. You could never have a complete redesign without an designer.
Check this out:
<img src="http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2921/26028819.png">

[SS90]

Yes, and I have to admit, the idea of shagging a bird with a chest in the front and a chest in the back sickens me.

I am 100% happy with the way our bodies are designed

Particularly the Woman's bodies.

Particularly Jessica Beale's body.

Thank you evolution!

[Brian d marge]

Recovering from a spinal injury I got to thinking..........

I've wondered for some time about the efficiency of creature's bodies - including homo sapiens. Almost every animal has a head situated upon a neck. Within that head resides the brain which is the critical organ for survival. Mammals, insects, reptiles, birds. Fish are the exception, and even then the brain is at one end. Not sure about amoeba and bacteria.

Now, the brain is so important that I can't see why evolution would allow it to sit in such an exposed position. Why not position the brain in, say, the chest? By all means have a head with eyes and ears, but for goodness sake protect the machine which is critical to survival. And the brain would then be closer to the spine for running the central nervous system.

There's another thing - why expose the spine on one side of the body? Yes its needed for skeletal purposes but why not a central spine with two rib cages?

After all, our bodies are complex constructions anyway and these variations wouldn't be any more strange than what we already have.

So I'm interested in your ideas.

i am reporting you to ACC ,n you can think and move at least one muscle therefore you are fit for work
so get to it

Stephen

I am not standing by while a perfectly good human being throws away the opportunity to work

[SPORK]

http://www.pilkipedia.co.uk/wiki/images/b/b6/Karl_Testicle_Ears1.jpg

those in the know, will know

[rainman]

So I'm interested in your ideas.

Good questions. My NSWAGs would be that the spine evolved on one side because the legs were on the other (when we were running about on all fours), and the brain evolved close to the primary sense organs (eyes, ears, mouth).

But that could be complete crap. Why don't you ask the dude from The Straight Dope? (Is he still there?)

[McJim]

I hope you're not hinting at creationism Winston. It's all very well defending an indefensible position for arguments sake but thet's going too far.

Most mammals were not designed to travel faster than 70kph...shit most of 'em aren't even designed to go faster then 30kph!

At these speeds very very few (in overall %age terms) suffer from spinal injuries.

The best place for eyes is at the topmost area of the creature. The best attribute for the part holding the eyes is to be prehensile to some extent.
The most efficient route for an optic nerve is a short direct connection hence requiring the part of the body used for receiving optical nerve transmissions to be pretty close to the eyes.

Any other design simply wouldn't make it through the first 50 million years bro'

QED

[Cheshire Cat]

I am loling at the moment, this is very bizaaarrr!!!

[FJRider]

Yes, and I have to admit, the idea of shagging a bird with a chest in the front and a chest in the back sickens me.

I am 100% happy with the way our bodies are designed

Particularly the Woman's bodies.

Particularly Jessica Beale's body.

Thank you evolution!

I TOTALLY agree .... but I do feel they need more study .... :lol:

[Thaeos]

I TOTALLY agree .... but I do feel they need more study .... :lol:

I'd like to help with that study...

[McJim]

I TOTALLY agree .... but I do feel they need more study .... :lol:


I'd like to help with that study...

The idea of you both studying one another is not something I'd like to have to take notes on. And I'm not even homophobic.

Best of luck lads and I hope you do enjoy yourselves...

[FJRider]

I'd like to help with that study...

Sorry ... this study I must do on my own. I may however require (for study purposes only mind) the services of suitably (endowed/qualified) females to study. Those females wishing further study ... PM me (with photo).... Discretion assured .... :whistle:

[Pixie]

Recovering from a spinal injury I got to thinking..........

I've wondered for some time about the efficiency of creature's bodies - including homo sapiens. Almost every animal has a head situated upon a neck. Within that head resides the brain which is the critical organ for survival. Mammals, insects, reptiles, birds. Fish are the exception, and even then the brain is at one end. Not sure about amoeba and bacteria.

Now, the brain is so important that I can't see why evolution would allow it to sit in such an exposed position. Why not position the brain in, say, the chest? By all means have a head with eyes and ears, but for goodness sake protect the machine which is critical to survival. And the brain would then be closer to the spine for running the central nervous system.

There's another thing - why expose the spine on one side of the body? Yes its needed for skeletal purposes but why not a central spine with two rib cages?

After all, our bodies are complex constructions anyway and these variations wouldn't be any more strange than what we already have.

So I'm interested in your ideas.

The brain in all animals is adequately protected for it's normal natural environment.e.g. the human skull protects the brain well for accidents like tripping and doing a faceplant while running.It doesn't do so good when you accelerate the human to 120 km/h and run it into a tree.

[erik]

There's another thing - why expose the spine on one side of the body? Yes its needed for skeletal purposes but why not a central spine with two rib cages?

Bearing in mind I haven't studied much evolution or biology...

In quadrupeds, the torso is like a cantilever beam, the top side in compression, the bottom in tension. Muscles only work in tension. Bones (the spine) deal with the compression. So mammals evolved with the spine at the top to take the compressive loads, with the organs hanging underneath, and the stomach muscles looking after the tensile loads.

Humans started from there and evolved to where we're at now.

What I find kind of surprising is how central the spine actually is, if you look at cross-sectional images of the abdomen/lower back region in particular:
http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/GrossAnatomy/x_sec/abd/1680.htm

http://www.madsci.org/~lynn/VH/transverse.html

I wasn't able to find cross sections of four legged creatures, it would be interesting to see how the spine position compares. Presumably it is in a more dorsal position in quadrupeds vs humans.

[gatch]

Yes, and I have to admit, the idea of shagging a bird with a chest in the front and a chest in the back sickens me.

I am 100% happy with the way our bodies are designed

Particularly the Woman's bodies.

Particularly Jessica Beale's body.

Thank you evolution!

Mate, I have shagged a few birds with a chest on the back and front. Funnily enough no nipples on the back..


As for the stunning Jessicahttp://www.mycelebrityfashion.co.uk/outfits/jessica-biel-at-the-beach-53/jessica-biel-puerto-rico-bikini-01.jpgshe should be cloned, so we can all have one (or 3) for our own..

[YellowDog]

Hey Winston,

For me the most amazing pasrt of the human body is its ability to recover from serious trauma.

I would also suggest that the brian being placed at the top of the body in the thick skull to protect it; must have seemed like a pretty damn good idea at the time. I'm not sure the 'Big G' had anticipated the motorcycle as a reason to modify the design.

Snakes seem to do a pretty good job of defending their brains and I have heard it stated many times that the Shark is as close to evolutionary perfection as you can get.

Neither snakes or Sharks ride motorcycles
(or at least I haven't seen one)

Good luck with the healing.

[BMWST?]

the chest cavity has one or three other rather important organs taking up space.Highr in the hierachy than even the brain...ie heart and llungs

[Ronin]

Wouldn't it make sense that the brain is as close as possible to the sense organs?

[Edbear]

The brain in all animals is adequately protected for it's normal natural environment.e.g. the human skull protects the brain well for accidents like tripping and doing a faceplant while running.It doesn't do so good when you accelerate the human to 120 km/h and run it into a tree.

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind... :cool:


Wouldn't it make sense that the brain is as close as possible to the sense organs?

Is that where the expression,"He thinks with his dick!" comes from...? :lol:

[Ronin]

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind... :cool:



Is that where the expression,"He thinks with his dick!" comes from...? :lol:

My brain travels in an orbit of about 3 feet :banana:

[Hans]

Neural signals from your senses travel at a limited speed. All the important sensory organs have to be at the front/top/ of the body. The brain has to be as close to your eyes, ears and nose as possible. If it wasn't, the resulting delays in the transmission of signals to your brain would naturally de-select you pretty quickly.

[Hinny]

Recovering from a spinal injury I got to thinking..........

I've wondered for some time about the efficiency of creature's bodies - including homo sapiens. Almost every animal has a head situated upon a neck. Within that head resides the brain which is the critical organ for survival. Mammals, insects, reptiles, birds. Fish are the exception, and even then the brain is at one end. Not sure about amoeba and bacteria.

Now, the brain is so important that I can't see why evolution would allow it to sit in such an exposed position. Why not position the brain in, say, the chest? By all means have a head with eyes and ears, but for goodness sake protect the machine which is critical to survival. And the brain would then be closer to the spine for running the central nervous system.

There's another thing - why expose the spine on one side of the body? Yes its needed for skeletal purposes but why not a central spine with two rib cages?

After all, our bodies are complex constructions anyway and these variations wouldn't be any more strange than what we already have.

So I'm interested in your ideas.

I heard you had taken a knock to the noggin as well Winston.
How is that coming on today? :rolleyes:

[Skyryder]

Interesting queston.

Eyes at the front..........spine to the rear..........where it can be best protected.

The rib cage is the first line of defence for the spine from a frontal attack, that's excluding the arms which can be used to defend the rib cage.

The brain is pretty well protected within the skull and neck mobility lesson the shock from any sudden blows and I stress lessons the shock.

Interstingly the sex organs are placed in the best protected part of the anatomy that is until we started walking on two legs. They became exposed as a result of bipedial movement.

Skyryder

[Edbear]

......Interstingly the sex organs are placed in the best protected part of the anatomy that is until we started walking on two legs. They became exposed as a result of bipedial movement.

Skyryder

You can get arrested for that... :lol:

[Winston001]

Well knock me down and call me a primate - I'm impressed as all get up at the intelligent replies here. Very good thoughts.

As I understand it, the basic animal layout of bilateral symmetry plus head, gut, anus with backbone comes from our fondly remembered ancestor, the flatworm. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/03/990322062150.htm

So we've been stuck with this body type for 500 million years. You'd think evolution would have continued on a bit further....

Also evolution is progress by chance, not design. If it works then that becomes the forward plan even if it isn't ideal.

Can anyone think of a creature design (above the level of microbes) which doesn't conform?

[davereid]

There is a school of thought that motorcyclist spinal injuries are related to the extra load of the helmet.

The arrival of the heavy crash helmet in the 60s and 70s co-incided with a large number of extra spinal injuries.

By the late 70s, NZ had two specialist spinal units, which remain to this day well stocked with bikers.

Last week on the television the head doctor from Burwood spinal unit was quoted as supporting the ACC rises due to the large number of bikers in his care.

Many studies have been done, which clear the helmet of blame.

I for one, am not sure. The physics of a helmet add extra weight, extra torsion and an earlier contact time to the dynamics of a crash.

I for one choose the lightest helmet I can get.

[gatch]

There is a school of thought that motorcyclist spinal injuries are related to the extra load of the helmet.

The arrival of the heavy crash helmet in the 60s and 70s co-incided with a large number of extra spinal injuries.

By the late 70s, NZ had two specialist spinal units, which remain to this day well stocked with bikers.

Last week on the television the head doctor from Burwood spinal unit was quoted as supporting the ACC rises due to the large number of bikers in his care.

Many studies have been done, which clear the helmet of blame.

I for one, am not sure. The physics of a helmet add extra weight, extra torsion and an earlier contact time to the dynamics of a crash.

I for one choose the lightest helmet I can get.

If common sense counts for anything these days, than it would seem reasonable to me that attaching 1300grams plus to your head would only increase the stress felt on your neck in a crash, ie same velocity + more weight = more neck ouchies..

[Winston001]

If common sense counts for anything these days, than it would seem reasonable to me that attaching 1300grams plus to your head would only increase the stress felt on your neck in a crash, ie same velocity + more weight = more neck ouchies..

That is logical. However.....the protective shell of the helmet absorbs a huge amount of blunt force which would otherwise be transmitted directly to the skull. That in turn would be transmitted to the brain and trust me, you don't want that to happen......

The problem with the mass of a helmet is that it adds torsion and compression to the neck, none of which is acceptable to a healthy spine. Therein lies a problem.

The only answer I can think of is a neck collar to stop the helmet compressing and twisting - but that would make a helmet unwearable on a sportsbike. Or there may be airbags for this purpose.

[george formby]

Our brain is stuck on top primarily to release the huge amount of heat it generates.

[Winston001]

Our brain is stuck on top primarily to release the huge amount of heat it generates.

Really?? My brain emits most of its heat from the crotch region.....:buggerd:

[Rodney007]

IMO its the perfect design for about 15000 years ago , with no influence of industrailisation,

cars and all the stuff that moves or can do damage to your body in unnatural ways has appeared within a time period far to short for any species to adapt,

there for when you accelerate into a tree at 120 kms (like someone stated earlier) you get hurt

but in saying that if you were gathering beries for your tribe and you triped over and broke your leg youd pretty much be screwed for the rest of your life..

[george formby]

Really?? My brain emits most of its heat from the crotch region.....:buggerd:

Funnily enough, thats why are trouser plums dangle. If it gets to hot the sperm get damaged. So, when your brain gets hot, do you expose it to a cool breeze?

[Dean]

Well knock me down and call me a primate

:lol::2thumbsup

[Hinny]

Three engineering students were gathered together discussing who must have designed the human body.
One said, 'It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints.'
Another said, 'No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections.'
The last one said, 'No, actually it had to have been a civil engineer.
Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?'