Bodies...The Exhibition

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.  

--Review by Jeannie Borbe and Aleza Freeman