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Incredible Human Machine
People
push
their bodies to the limit in a variety of ways. Yet,
when you consider that it takes as many as 100 muscles
just to speak simple words, even everyday acts seem
pretty impressive. This month, National Geographic takes
a look at how our truly incredible bodies enable us to
do the ordinary and the extraordinary in Incredible
Human Machine.
When it comes to making music, the most impressive
instrument might be the human vocal cords. These thin
membranes are what enable speech and song. The vocal
cords cover our throats just above the windpipe. As our
breath passes through them, they open, close, and
vibrate, creating the sounds that we hear. One person
who puts his vocal cords to the test on a regular basis
is Aerosmith's lead singer Steven Tyler. In Incredible
Human Machine, the National Geographic Channel will
examine his remarkable
set of vocal cords in real time during a concert.
Yet,
abilities such as speech and song can be
damaged by injuries or
diseases like brain cancer. In the recent past, brain
cancer was an almost certain death sentence. Even when
brain cancer could be treated, treating it often came
with the high price of brain damage. Doctors now have
the power to beat this disease while protecting the
remarkable skills that make the human body so amazing.
Incredible Human Machine lets you watch as doctors
perform brain surgery while the patient is still awake
to ensure that the power of speech is preserved.
From
recovering from
injuries to simply walking around, our bodies possess
endless abilities. Whether we're breaking records or
just hanging out, we rely on 100 trillion cells
functioning properly
to live our lives. Watch the National Geographic
Channel's Incredible Human Machine to see how they all
fit together to make us who we are. |
