Explore Your Body: An Interactive Guide

Your eyes help orient your position within your environment and aid in differentiating colour, texture, movement, and words.

The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and are responsible for the activation of the “flight or fight” response by our nervous system.

The appendix is a thin tube that forms part of the gastrointestinal tract and is found in the lower right part of the abdomen. New research suggests that the appendix may help in our recovery from gastrointestinal diseases by housing parts of our microbiome.

According to a new “Safe House” theory, the appendix is home to the most pronounced biofilm (collection of microbes in mucous) which ensures that once the immune system has removed an infection, the good bacteria can be relocated from the appendix into the gastrointestinal tract for recolonization.

However, the appendix can become inflamed and infected leading to appendicitis which may present with:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Intense abdominal pain

Removal of the appendix is often required swiftly before it bursts as  it can lead to infection.

Our ears are made of a flap of cartilage covered by skin that funnels soundwaves into the middle ear, protecting our delicate inner ears from debris.

The eardrum itself is a tiny membrane that moves backwards and forwards in response to sound waves. This, in turn, causes the tiny bones inside the middle ear to vibrate. These vibrations are converted into nerve impulses by the cochlea before travelling to the brain and being interpreted as sound.

The ears are also responsible for transmitting information about balance, co-ordination and proprioception. For example, motion sickness is a result of your brain receiving conflicting information from eyes and ears. To protect your hearing avoid loud noises, and consider wearing hearing protection.

The gall bladder is responsible for storing bile made by the liver. Bile is needed to breaks down dietary fats. A poor diet may lead to the development of gallstones which are small stones made from cholesterol, bile and calcium salts. These can cause symptoms such as pain in the mid or upper right section of the abdomen. Other symptoms may include acid reflux, gas, nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, gallstones can lead to an inflamed or infected gallbladder.

With coronary heart disease being one of the biggest killers in the Western World, it is absolutely crucial that you take care of your heart.

The kidneys are two organs found in the space between your ribs and your hips towards your back. They are responsible for filtering your blood, maintaining blood pressure and ridding the body of wastes.

To protect your kidneys, drink plenty of clean water and urinate when needed. Holding onto urine can lead to bacterial overgrowth and weakened bladder muscles.

The liver is the largest organ in the body and responsible for detoxification. It is also one of the only organs capable of regeneration.

To support healthy liver function avoid overeating and excessive alcohol intake. Drinking plenty of water and increasing fiber content will help support eliminating wastes.

The lungs are responsible for drawing air into blood through small sponge-like sacs. If your lungs are damaged then there is less air  and oxygen available to tissues and organs. When under stress, breathing typically may be short and shallow which will impair tissue oxygenation.

To protect your lungs avoid inhaling any dangerous chemicals, smoking and vaping. Practice deep breathing every day whenever possible, allowing your diaphragm to expand and contract.

Your pancreas is both and endocrine and exocrine organ. This means that it has two main functions. It is responsible for the production of hormones such as insulin as well as the production of secretions necessary for digestion. It is the pancreas that bears the brunt of diabetes.

The thyroid is the master endocrine gland, directing sensitivity of organs to circulating hormones by thyroid hormones. These thyroid hormones are largely dependent on iodine intake from the diet.

The stomach is an empty organ that receives food from the esophagus. Food is blended with digestive juices including pepsin and hydrochloric acid in the stomach which kill bacteria and break down proteins. To protect the stomach, eat slowly and mindfully. Digestion occurs primarily when the body is in a parasympathetic state. Eating when rushed or stressed will impair digestion.

The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is the body's control center, processing sensory info, thoughts, and emotions while regulating functions like movement. It consists of various regions, each responsible for specific tasks. The spinal cord connects the brain and body, transmitting instructions and sensory information. It coordinates reflexes, allowing for quick, automatic responses to stimuli.