Our bodies are complex and extraordinary vessels. Sometimes we need to stop and appreciate our bodies more. We are literally walking miracles.

Humans have been curious about how the body works for centuries. The first exploration of the human anatomy was done in Egypt in 1600 BC. The Egyptians came as far as identifying organs like the heart, liver, spleen, kidney, uterus, bladder and the brain (hypothalamus). They could also differentiate between which vessels carried air, blood and mucus. The most prominent thing the Egyptians discovered was the fact that the heart was the main source of life and that all the blood vessels connected to it.

The first known documented discoveries by biologists date back to 480 BC. These biologists included people like Empedocles, Acron, Pausanias and Philistion of Locri. In the 4th century AD Aristotle, Galen and Praxagoras were among the numerous biologists investigating the human anatomy.

Leonardo da Vinci was said to have dissected 30 human cadavers in order to produce up to 750 detailed sketches of muscles, bones and organs. He was later ordered to stop under order of Pope Leo X.

Thanks to the printing press it was easier to distribute books with notes, images and ideas. This made sharing notes and ideas quite easy. These books were also distributed among Biology students. Study of the human anatomy flourished in the 17th and 18th century. One could sit in on dissections and experience the human anatomy up close. Michelangelo and Rembrandt were among the audience. By closely viewing dissections they could draw more accurately and understand the external human body better. In the late 17th to 18th century things got a bit out of hand. Due to the rise in medical students and the lack of human cadavers, anatomy murder and body snatching was practised to obtain subjects. Some biologists went as far as dissecting their own family. William Harvey dissected his own father and sister. He even robbed their family graves.

In 1832, Britain passed the Anatomy Act, which would help increase the supply of human cadavers. All executed murderers may legally be dissected. In the early days people saw dissection after death as the worst punishment you could ever bestow on another. This was mainly due to religion, superstitions and the fact that it was quite an awful sight.

Today things are much better. Thanks to the above mentioned individuals and their detailed notes and sketches we no longer have to dissect cadavers. There are millions of anatomy books written by biologists, professors and even philosophers. We have endless information, videos, 3D sketches and even boardgames of the human anatomy. Children as young as 8 learn about the human anatomy in school. The pioneers in exploring the human anatomy has truly paved the road for us in understanding the body and its functions.

It is truly amazing how many people and centuries have gone in to exploring the human anatomy. It is thus our job to look after ourselves better. Eat healthy, get enough exercise and go for your annual check ups. Another great way to keep yourself healthy is by doing Ozone Therapy. Ozone may improve heart, liver, kidney, brain and bladder function. It will also improve vitamin and mineral absorption during digestion.

Will you be looking after your body a bit better?