Body Worlds

It could be debatable, but I would say that the heart is the most intricate and involved muscle in the human body. Go ahead; let’s hear from anyone who disagrees. The liver, the intestines, even the phalanges (come on a cool name like that, definitely a contester ) could all rival, and I am open to hearing arguments, but I stand firm, the hearts goes on!


Head to Body Worlds at the Denver Museum of Nature Science and there will surely be another tally on my side, the heart side. The exhibit is only here through July 18 FYI! Warning: this exhibit, nothing less than fascinating, may not be for everyone. These are real human bodies, collections and specimens you are setting your eyes on. I will note that many children under the age of ten were present.

You will find over 200 specimens from whole bodies, to single organs and body slices. The heart is the focus, and rightfully so…this organ works harder and intertwines with every other organ. In less than one minute your heart can pump over 100,000 times and over 2,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels in our bodies. And it’s only the size of a fist. What do you think about that?!

It is the invention of Plastanation that has brought BodyWorlds to be a ‘have to see, ASAP.’ Some find it controversial that someone could donate their body to medical research and be put on display. But it’s not for the mere fact of marveling over it, but to learn from it. There is a difference between recreated displays and textbook pictures, and an actual human body that develops an appreciation when you know you are looking at the real deal.

There is no question that a smokers lung is tarnished with black smut that leaves you wondering why you would ever light up. Or the clogged arteries that leave you questioning why you would not pay attention to nutrition and exercise. Or how about some bodies on display hat are in mint condition and who would not want to model after that?

It’s no longer just known to the medical world, we are let in. We are drawn to appreciate the inner workings of our body. To see the neuron system in a preserved state, the network of blood vessels and or the development of a child from the age of two weeks to right before birth. It really is necessary to see, it is heartfelt.