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Sunday 9 October 2011

The human body as a tube map

You're gonna have to click this one to make it big. soz.
The Human Body as  Subway System by Sam Loman

Another old classic that has made its way around the cyberverse* is this map of the inner workings of the human body in the style of a tube map (or subway to my readers from across the pond).

Illustrated by Sam Loman, it depicts the arterial, digestive, musculoskeletal and five other systems with junctions where they intertwine, for example the kidney and the heart.

It's pretty, no doubt and it contains 8 of the 11 human systems. But... It does not include the integumentary system (skin, hair, nails), reproductive or endocrine systems; it includes only the central nervous system and not the peripheral nervous system; and there are junctions where there is no meeting of systems, for example at the humerous and radius. However, I don't think Sam intended the map to be used in a biology exam.

It's a visual metaphor and looks awesome so lets not get picky about the details.

*Sometimes I like to try and think of as many words for internet as possible.

4 comments:

  1. Pretty scary eah! A topological map of the human body.

    Love your blog! I have always tried to do a bit of art whilst doing science! Check out my blog for a marine viewpoint.

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  2. Thanks very much! You have a great blog too! I see it's a fairly new blog - I hope it's going well. Are you twitter? x

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  3. This is beyond cool!!!! I just found your blog, and I'm hooked. I'm a neuroscience major and love beauty/art. I'm currently working with MAP 2-stained neurons and can't help but notice the parallel between neurons and stars twinkling in the night sky. Honestly, it's so cool to look into a microscope and observe neurons...they remind me of expansive galaxies. :)

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    1. Only just noticed this comment - sorry for being so slow to reply! Your work sounds incredible! I would love to hear more about how you "can't help but notice the parallel between neurons and stars twinkling in the night sky" - any chance of getting some pics?

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