Over the years, scientists have uncovered nearly everything there is to know about the human body, from its anatomic structure, physiological functions to even mapping our DNA structure. And these facts are now elementary and most would be aware of it. However, there are a few obscure facts about the human body which are not usually taught in any schools or colleges. Read on to find out more.
Beyond the 5 Senses
It is a universal fact that we possess 5 fundamental senses, which help us to perceive the world around us. But besides these, humans are speculated to have other senses, which provide more detail and depth to our world.
Proprioception is the sense of spatial awareness. In other words, this sense helps us to orient our limbs and bodies in relative space without directly looking at them. Proprioception enables us to perform many activities like driving, walking, running and swimming without directly looking at our limbs. Furthermore, even a blindfolded person can have a clear idea of the position of their limbs and body due to this sense.
Human Echolocation
Echolocation is the process by which certain animals (such as bats, dolphins, and whales) use sound to find the position of objects, or potential prey, relative to their location. This phenomenon is incredibly useful as these animals have poor eyesight or, have to function in environments with poor visibility (such as at night, or in dark, murky waters).
Humans who are blind use a form of echolocation to detect objects within their vicinity. This is done by actively producing sounds like tapping the cane, stomping their feet or making audible clicks with the mouth. Sensing these reflected echoes, these people can interpret the size and location of objects in proximity with considerable accuracy. However, training is required for people to orient themselves with echolocation.
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