The human body is an amazing conglomerate of vital structures. Many organs have received a lot of attention over the years especially because of their vulnerability to illnesses. However, there are some lesser known yet unique body parts in the human body that deserve recognition too. Here are the 8 body parts we bet you weren’t too aware of.
1. Pineal Gland
A pea-sized gland shaped located in the brain near the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the pineal is the smallest endocrine gland in the body. It secretes melatonin that influences our reproductive and sleep-wake cycles. It gets stimulated on exposure to light. Not many are aware of the fact that, the proper functioning of the pineal gland determines how well we cope with stress.1
Spiritually, it is the seat of the ajna chakra or 6th chakra. When this chakra is in balance, our intuition develops along with clarity of mind.
2. Ear Pinna
Yes, we all notice the outer ear or ear pinna but did you know that your pinna is absolutely unique to you? Made of cartilage and soft tissues, this flexible body part, collects sound waves and transfers them to the ear canal. Scientific research has proved that the form of the ear pinna is also a unique identity determinant for an individual.
Fingerprints can be destroyed with increasing age or trauma but as far are as the auricles are concerned, the shape remains the same except for the descent of the lobe.2
3. Philtrum
That wide groove right under the base of your nose leading up to your upper lip, the philtrum has a lot of significance. The indent is a reminder of the fusion of the two sides of the face that happened when you were inside your mother’s womb. In incomplete fusion, congenital anomalies like cleft lip and palate arise.
The shape of the philtrum can also determine whether a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Long-term studies have observed that children with autism have a broader philtrum and mouth and a smaller mid-facial region.3
4. Lip Prints
Those crinkles and grooves on your lips are not just there for no reason! In fact, lip prints are as unique to an individual like the fingerprints. Forensic experts have analyzed that these can even play a major role in sex determination and criminal identification.4
5. Hyoid Bone
We are largely unaware that the gift of speech is not only a function of or tongue and vocal cords but also a small, horseshoe-shaped bone in the middle of the neck called the hyoid.
The hyoid also has a significant role to play in forensic post-mortem examinations. If the hyoid bone has fractured, the cause of death is likely to be asphyxia due to hanging, strangling or throttling.5
6. Cuticles
We nibble at our cuticles when tensed or push them during a manicure. Tampering with the cuticle can put our nails at high risk of contracting infections. The cuticle is a fine layer of dead cells that connects the nail plate to the finger thereby acting as a seal against microbial entry. Studies have proved that trimming or breaking the cuticle in one way or the other can allow harmful pathogens to enter the nail bed leading to painful infections of the nails.6
7. Funny Bone
Regardless of whether you’ve a good sense of humor or not, you will definitely have a funny bone. When the inside of your elbow is struck, you will feel a prickly sensation that sends tingles across your arm. Although it feels funny, it’s not a bone but instead, it’s a nerve, the ulnar. The ulnar nerve connects the fourth and fifth fingers with the brain and controls movements of the hand. 7
8. Tailbone
The coccyx or tailbone is a highly underrated body part. From being an anchor to the spinal nerves and tissues, it plays a major role in the health of the lower back and pelvis. When the bone suffers an injury it leads to pelvic organ prolapse and pain, urinary incontinence, constipation and even paralysis of the lower limbs in worst cases.8
It’s crucial to understand that the way our body works is pretty fascinating and we don’t even realize how many parts are involved in its smooth functioning. Unless we suffer some form of discomfort, we rarely take the time to appreciate and thank our body. Let’s make it a habit of expressing our gratitude to the body by eating right, staying active, and being kind to it!
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