Bodies...The Exhibition Description
With
a name like Bodies in Las Vegas, it's easy to assume you're going to a
topless show. But Bodies…The Exhibition at the Luxor is even more
revealing.
Bodies will easily trump any science lab dissection
you've done in school. With an intricate, 3-D vision of the human form,
visitors get the chance to see real bodies, preserved along with their
inner organs. The exhibit showcases 13 whole-body specimens from China
and more than 260 organs and partial body specimens. There are nine
rooms dedicated to different parts of the body, including the muscular,
nervous, circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems.
There is
also a more sensitive section of the exhibition showing fetal
development. Guests can see different stages of a baby's development,
from eight weeks old to eight months, as well as fetuses with various
birth defects, such as conjoined twins. This exhibit is located in its
own private area, so those who feel uncomfortable viewing it can skip to
the next section.
It is both startling and informative to see so
many body parts and inner organs out in the open when they are usually
tucked safely away under your skin. One wouldn't expect such an
intricate part of the nervous system, like the spinal cord, to resemble a
clump of seaweed.The tongue, meanwhile, looks a bit like a small, thick
cut of steak (Would you like that medium-rare or well-done?).
One
of the more startling sights in the exhibit is the display of a
smoker's lung in the respiratory section. Visitors can see and compare a
healthy lung to a blackened smoker's lung. There is also a brain on
display here from a person who suffered a stroke -- ironically it looks a
bit like the inside of an ashtray. After reading some scary,
mind-opening facts (like a single pack of cigarettes takes three hours
and 40 minutes off your life), you may think twice about puffing. For
the guests' convenience, there is a cigarette disposal bin nearby.
Bodies also offers enrichment that helps visitors improve their quality of life and prevent diseases.
Reading
the quick facts on the wall is almost as interesting as checking out
the specimens. For instance, did you know if all the muscles in your
body worked together, you could lift more than 10 tons? And did you know
eating breakfast really does help improve your memory?
More fun
facts: Faster than the world's most powerful computer, the nervous
system is responsible for processing all thoughts and emotions. In
addition, every drop of blood in the body passes through the heart once
per minute. Single visitors will be interested to learn that scent plays
a significant role in people's physical attraction to each other. (Men,
even the most expensive cologne won't help you if she's not attracted
to your "natural" scent!) These are just a few of the fascinating things
you'll discover while walking through the Bodies exhibit.
There
are plenty of benches scattered throughout the facility for guests who
want to sit down take a break. For those who want an in-depth
description about particular displays, audio wands are available for
$6. Expert docents can also answer questions. Visitors are encouraged to
write their impressions of Bodies in one of several guest books at the
end of the exhibition.
As for those who want to take a little
piece of Bodies home with them, the gift shop features some a collection
of books, incense holders, models, key chains, souvenirs and
educational doodads for kids.
Preserving the bodies
To
keep the specimens in top condition without decaying, they go through a
method known as polymer preservation, in which all of the tissue and
water is replaced with silicone rubber.
First, each specimen must be preserved to stop decay. Next, it's dissected to feature specific parts of the body. Once dissected, the specimen is immersed in acetone. This process removes all body water.
After the acetone process, the specimen is placed in a silicone polymer bath and sealed in a vacuum chamber. During this stage, the acetone leaves the body in the form of gas and the silicone polymer replaces it, entering each cell and body tissue. A catalyst is then applied to the specimen, which hardens it and completes the process.
Experts are available at the exhibit for guests who have further questions.
First, each specimen must be preserved to stop decay. Next, it's dissected to feature specific parts of the body. Once dissected, the specimen is immersed in acetone. This process removes all body water.
After the acetone process, the specimen is placed in a silicone polymer bath and sealed in a vacuum chamber. During this stage, the acetone leaves the body in the form of gas and the silicone polymer replaces it, entering each cell and body tissue. A catalyst is then applied to the specimen, which hardens it and completes the process.
Experts are available at the exhibit for guests who have further questions.
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