Skeleton
An adult usually has 206 bones. They protect the internal organs, anchor the muscles and store a reserve of minerals.
Topics
Topics
The body is easiest to study by systems: groups of organs that share a common job. Below they are arranged into four sections, and each card offers a short explanation and a link to a page that covers the topic in more depth.
No organ works alone. Bones are held in place by muscles, muscles live on blood, and blood flow is controlled by nerves.
How this section works: we describe the normal structure and function of the organs in general terms. There are no descriptions of diseases, no symptom lists for self-diagnosis and no treatment advice here; those questions are for a doctor alone.
Support and movement
The skeleton, joints, ligaments and muscles form the frame that lets us stand, walk and pick things up.
Joints and ligaments
The movable connections between bones are lined with smooth cartilage, and ligaments hold them in place. Regular movement helps them stay in good shape for longer.
Muscles
Muscles can only contract, so almost every movement is the work of a pair of muscles pulling in opposite directions.
Spine and posture
The natural curves of the spine cushion the load when we walk. Habitual postures gradually affect how well your back copes with a long day.
Blood and breathing
The heart, blood vessels and lungs deliver oxygen to the tissues and carry carbon dioxide away.
Heart
A four-chambered muscular pump. In an adult at rest it usually beats roughly 60–100 times a minute, but heart rhythm should be assessed by a doctor.
Blood vessels
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, veins bring it back, and in the finest capillaries substances are exchanged with the tissues.
Lungs
In the lungs, oxygen passes from the air into the blood. Breathing adjusts to exertion on its own, without any effort on our part.
Digestion and metabolism
Food travels from the mouth to the intestines along a long chain of organs, each doing its own part of the work.
Digestive tract
The stomach churns food, and the intestines break it down and absorb the nutrients. The process takes many hours and happens almost entirely without our conscious control.
Liver
The body's largest gland takes part in metabolism, stores energy reserves and neutralises many substances that enter the blood.
Skin
The largest organ: in an adult it covers roughly 1.5–2 m². Skin protects us from the outside world, helps regulate temperature and gives us the sense of touch.
Nerves and senses
The nervous system gathers information from the sense organs and controls how the whole body works.
Brain and spinal cord
The central nervous system processes signals and makes decisions, from deliberate actions to the unnoticed fine-tuning of breathing.
Sense organs
Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch translate events in the outside world into the language of nerve impulses.
How the brain is studied
Much of what we know about the brain comes from imaging methods. The methods section explains in general terms how they work.
Brain news
Stories about the "incredible powers of the brain" appear all the time. A separate guide explains how to tell serious work from a loud headline.
Body in the news (in Russian)
Article catalogue in English
This is where we will publish standalone articles, written for English-speaking readers, about how the body works and how to use that knowledge in everyday life.
- Aion 2 farming: How It Fits into Aion 2 Progression
A plain explanation of farming in Aion 2: why players repeat content, how it supports progression, where its limits are, and the rules on real-money trading.
- Common questions about Destiny 2 level progression: Competitive Play
Answers to common Destiny 2 progression questions: seasonal content, fireteams, raids, LFG communities and what Bungie's terms say about account sharing.
- Diablo IV: Systems Breakdown for Players
A beginner FAQ and checklist for Diablo IV: how its core systems fit together, what to learn first, how to follow updates and how to keep your account safe.
- GTA 6 Preorder Guide and Editions: Practical Guide
What is confirmed about GTA 6 preorders: release date, platforms, Standard vs Ultimate editions, the preorder bonus and how to buy safely.
What the editors are working on
- Why bones keep rebuilding themselves throughout life
- What really happens to your body when you sit all day
- How your heart and lungs respond on a brisk walk
- Sunlight and skin: what UV does and how to stay protected
- Ageing in plain words: which changes are normal and what we can influence
- A beginner's tour of the body's organ systems, one diagram at a time
Editorial rules
- Articles in this catalogue are written separately for each language version and are not translations.
- Some articles link to third-party websites, including gaming services; we do not control their content, prices or terms.
- We do not sell tickets or publish advertising for clinics, exhibitions or medical products, rankings, prices or reviews.
See also
- Prevention
Everyday care for your joints and back: movement, posture, sleep and breaks, with no miracle cures.
- Methods
How scientists studied the body in the past, how doctors look inside today, and what you can calmly observe yourself.
- Glossary
Anatomy and medical terms in plain English, from vertebra and tendon to ultrasound.
- Anatomy exhibits (in Russian)
Archived address: what anatomy museums and exhibits show and how to prepare for a visit.
Sources
- Textbooks of human anatomy and physiology
- WHO reference materials on healthy living
This text reflects the generally accepted understanding of how the body works as of the date it was prepared. Human biology keeps refining the details, so take any questions about your own health to a doctor rather than relying on a reference article.