Body oddities

12 creepy body facts your biology teacher definitely skipped

Image: CDC

The human body is a marvel of biology—but sometimes, it's downright disturbing. Did you know it’s possible to cry blood? Or that we have taste receptors in our stomachs? From mysterious functions to deeply unsettling facts, our bodies are full of creepy surprises hiding beneath the surface. Here are 12 weird but true insights into what’s really going on inside you.

Image: Kimia Zarifi

Unlike most body parts, ears (and noses) continue to grow as you age. It’s not just cartilage at work—gravity slowly stretches skin and tissue, making ears longer over time.

This process, sometimes called "gravity-induced elongation," only starts to become more noticeable after age 30. That’s why elderly people often seem to have larger ears, even if they were proportionate in youth.

Image: Sander Dalhuisen

Receptors similar to those on your tongue exist in your stomach and intestines. They don’t "taste" in the traditional sense, though, but detect chemical signals.

Thanks to these oddly placed "taste" receptors, our bodies help regulate digestion and appetite by detecting nutrients and potential toxins. They’re crucial for gut-brain communication and may even influence cravings.

Image: Ali Shoaee

Yes, you read that right. Your eyelashes are home to Demodex mites—tiny, spider-like creatures that feed on dead skin cells and oils around hair follicles.

It may sound like something out of a horror movie, but most people—especially adults—have them. These mites emerge at night, mate on your eyelids, and retreat by morning. They’re harmless, but still undeniably creepy.

Image: Ana Itonishvili

Your body emits a small amount of radiation due to naturally occurring elements like potassium-40 and carbon-14, which are present in body tissues.

While this natural radioactivity is harmless, it’s still measurable. A single human body can emit around 7,000 particles per second—enough to trigger some sensitive detectors.

Image: Chaozzy Lin

Called haemolacria, it’s a rare condition where blood mixes with tears. Its causes can include infections, injuries, tumors, or hormonal changes.

Though quite dramatic and certainly alarming, some cases are benign. It has been documented in both adults and children, and it is often linked to extreme stress.

Image: MJH SHIKDER

Even just walking through a room, you leave behind a cloud of genetic material—skin cells, saliva, and sweat—all rich in your DNA.

Sometimes called a "biological fingerprint," this material is enough to identify you. Law enforcement and forensic scientists can even recover DNA from air filters or dust!

Image: Robina Weermeijer

Some people are born with supernumerary organs—extra kidneys, spleens, or even, in extremely rare cases, hearts. These additional organs are often non-functional but can still be detected.

For example, an estimated 1 in 1,000 people has an extra spleen, often discovered by accident during unrelated scans or surgery.

Image: Anshita Nair

Lack of sleep triggers glial cells in the brain to break down and consume parts of synapses—literally "cleaning house" in an extreme way.

This self-cannibalization can lead to cognitive decline and has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases in chronic cases.

Image: Alessandro La Becca

Osteomas are benign bone tumors that can sometimes protrude through the skin, resembling small "horns." Most appear on the skull or jaw.

Though rare, some osteomas can grow several inches. Surgical removal is usually performed for cosmetic reasons unless the growth interferes with normal function.

Image: Ümit Yıldırım

The human mouth can harbor over 700 different types of bacteria—many more than you'd find on a toilet seat.

Most of these bacteria are harmless—and even essential for healthy bodily functions—but under poor hygiene or illness, they can cause infections, tooth decay, or even contribute to heart disease if they enter the bloodstream.

Image: Robina Weermeijer

In extremely rare cases, a type of tumor called a teratoma can develop in the lungs and contain hair, teeth, or even eye-like tissue.

Teratomas are usually benign but still quite bizarre. They form from germ cells and can grow almost any tissue type due to their stem cell origin.

Image: Harlie Raethel

Even the hardest bones in your body are porous like a sponge. Under a microscope, they reveal a honeycomb structure filled with blood vessels and bone marrow.

This structure makes bones both strong and lightweight. However, in conditions like osteoporosis, those holes widen, weakening the bone from the inside.

Stop! You’ve been using these 11 objects the wrong way

Image: Diana Polekhina

We use countless objects daily without questioning their design, yet many have hidden features or were meant for entirely different purposes. From kitchen tools to bananas, here are 11 everyday items you might be using all wrong—or that at least have surprising secrets built in.

Image: Anastasia Nikitina

Yes, toothpaste was always intended to clean and polish teeth, but its mild abrasives make it effective for cleaning jewelry, removing stains from clothing, and even defogging mirrors.

Interestingly, the first toothpaste-like substance dates back to ancient Egypt, where a blend of pumice and vinegar was used for oral care. Modern toothpaste, which includes ingredients like baking soda—another household staple—explains why it’s so effective on surfaces beyond just teeth.

Image: Markus Winkler

That hole in your pasta spoon isn’t just for draining water; it can also help measure a perfect portion of dry spaghetti!

A single serving of spaghetti is about the amount that fits through the hole. This design prevents cooking too much or too little, though not all pasta spoons have holes large enough for accurate measuring.

Image: engin akyurt

The latch inside gas pump nozzles was originally designed to shut off fuel flow automatically when the tank is full, not to hold the pump open.

Modern pumps use this mechanism as a safety feature, preventing spills and overflows. In some places, using the latch to hold the nozzle open is even illegal due to fire risks.

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Those metal loops on the back of grocery cart seats aren’t just for show—they’re designed to hold plastic bags with fragile items.

Hanging lighter bags here prevents them from being crushed by heavier groceries in the cart, yet few shoppers take advantage of this simple design. So, next time you go shopping, give it a try—it could be a real lifesaver.

Image: Bam Mccarthy

The hole in a soda can tab isn’t just part of the opening mechanism—it can double as a straw holder. Once you pop the can open, turning the tab around aligns the hole perfectly for a straw. This prevents the straw from floating or shifting while drinking.

While this wasn’t the original intent behind the design, it’s a clever and surprisingly convenient way to make use of an otherwise inconsequential design quirk.

Image: Annie Spratt

If you're like me, this has likely been a brain teaser since childhood: What is the blue side of a two-tone eraser for? Popular wisdom says it's for ink removal, but have you ever tried erasing ink with that side? It just completely obliterates the paper.

Well, it turns out the blue side of a two-tone eraser was actually designed for use on heavier paper, not for removing ink.

Image: Matúš Kameniar

The small bumps on the ‘F’ and ‘J’ keys exist to help typists find their hand placement without looking.

These tactile guides help your fingers find their way back to the home row, enabling faster and more efficient typing. Even if you're not a professional typist, you can rely on this feature to improve both speed and accuracy while writing.

Image: Monika Guzikowska

Ever watched a monkey peel a banana? You might be in for a surprise, because it turns out the easiest way to peel a banana is from the bottom, not the stem.

Monkeys naturally pinch the bottom of the banana and pull, avoiding the struggle of breaking the tough stem. This method also reduces the risk of squishing the fruit inside.

Image: Brett Jordan

The small hole at the end of a measuring tape is designed to hook onto nails or screws for one-person measurements. This feature provides a more stable grip when measuring long distances without needing an extra set of hands.

Also, the serrated edge on some tapes doubles as a tool for marking surfaces. So, next time you don't have a buddy around to help, don’t worry—your measuring tape has you covered!

Image: Andrea Davis

Many people use the drawer under their oven for storage, but it was originally designed as a warming drawer.

This compartment keeps cooked food warm while the rest of the meal finishes, though in some modern models, it may simply be intended for extra storage. Checking your oven’s manual might reveal its true purpose.

Image: Mockup Free

Ever heard someone say you can judge a good wine by the depth of the indentation at the bottom of the bottle? Well, that’s a myth, though it may suggest a better-designed bottle.

The indent at the bottom of a wine bottle, called a punt, helps distribute pressure and maintain structural integrity. Originally designed to support the bottle against carbonation in sparkling wines, it’s now mostly tradition but still improves durability.