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When you stop to think about it, the human body is pretty amazing. It knows how to heal when we’re hurt, protect us from illness, and master complicated skills, whether that’s learning a new language or playing an instrument. Every day, it proves just how much it’s capable of.
But it’s not just what our bodies can do that makes them incredible, it’s also how different we all look. And some people are born with traits so rare or unusual that they stop you in your tracks. Many are fascinating to see, while others can be genuinely unsettling.
From striking eye colors to unusual genetic quirks, here are some of the most memorable examples.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This Is Javier Botet, A Spanish Almost 6’9” Actor Who Has A Genetic Disorder Known As Marfan Syndrome
This makes him very lanky, bendy and perfect for creature roles in movies such as slender man.
🇫🇮 Goth Nurse 🇫🇮 2 months ago
My husband was suspected of having this, he is super skinny and super tall. Fortunately genetic testing said he is ok. All his family members from his father's side are very tall, females at least 185cm and males 2 meters or more. Marfan's is not a good condition to have.
RELATED:
#2
Kid From Nepal With Cat Eye Syndrome
#3
I Have Purple Eyes
Traits like unusually tall height, purple or differently colored eyes, or even extreme flexibility have that effect on us. They catch our attention and make us stop for a second, simply because they’re not something we see every day.
They stand out against the ordinary, and that contrast is what makes them so fascinating.
#4
There's An Old Woman's Face In My Belly Button
#5
I Am Blind In My Left Eye. Here's What An Actual Pupil-Less Eye Looks Like
#6
Here Are My Marfan's Syndrome Hands
But here’s the thing: our bodies, in the most “ordinary” sense of the word, are just as incredible.
We’re so used to what they do for us every day that we rarely stop to think about it. Yet when you break it down, it’s mind-blowing to realize everything going on while we’re simply existing and getting on with our lives.
#7
Roy Lee (Rocky) Dennis With His Mother, Florence "Rusty" Tullis
Rocky had a rare disease called craniodiaphyseal dysplasia which caused his facial bone features to contort and grow at an abnormally fast rate. Rocky passed away aged 16 on this day in 1978.
marianne eliza 2 months ago
See the 1985 movie "Mask" with Cher as mom Rusty and Eric Stoltz as Rocky
#8
Some Of You Requested A Video Of My Hand Cramp. Unfortunately, I Had The Opprotunity To Film It Last Night. Suffer With Me
#9
A Teenager From Madhya Pradesh, India Has An Ultra Rare Condition Called 'Werewolf Syndrome' (Hypertrichosis)
This incurable condition is so rare that it is believed that only 50 people have had it since the Middle Ages.
Jeff Foster, Medical Director of the U.K.-based healthcare provider H3 Health, suggests many of us “take our bodies for granted.”
“It is only when we spend the time looking at what is really involved in what makes us human that we realize how amazing our bodies are,” he told Newsweek.
#10
The Human Eye Up Close Looks Like A Spooky Forest
Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
I watched my son get Lasik surgery. It's not for the faint of heart. The doctor said women do so much better than men as patients and observers. We just deal with stuff, I guess?
#11
This Woman Has Proteus Syndrome And Is A Disorder That Causes Various Parts Of The Body To Grow Recklessly
#12
Did You Know: An X-Ray Of A Baby’s Hand Makes It Look Like Their Bones Are Just Kinda Floating Around In There
Our 11-month-old somehow hurt her hand/wrist, and in trying to figure out what was wrong we got some x-rays. Unfortunately nothing conclusive came from the scans, but I thought the x ray itself was mildly interesting. Baby girl is going to be fine, apparently infants have Wolverine-like regenerative powers.
Panda Kicki 2 months ago (edited)
I am amazed you can tape ypu newborns ears withon the first ten days, keep it in tape for a week or two and permanently reshape it. I fixed my kids protrudent ears like that, much easier then surgery later and saved a lot of bulliyng. Even those with surgery at 6 still carries adverse mental effects even as adults in studies, so a week with soft tape is def worth it. Some totally crazy parents apparently uses that feature to make elf ears on the baby, thats just cruel.
Take blinking, for example.
Did you know the fastest moving muscle in your body is the orbicularis oculi, the one that controls your eyelids? It can contract in less than a tenth of a second.
Those tiny, rapid movements are crucial for tracking objects, reading, and protecting your eyes. So when we say something happens ‘in the blink of an eye,’ it’s a spot-on way to describe just how quick it really is.
#13
I Was Born With 4 Toes On One Foot
#14
X-Ray Of A Hand Dipped In Iodine. Iodine Absorbs X-Rays, Revealing The Skin Around The Bones
#15
Case Of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
FOP is a congenital disorder of connective tissue characterized by congenital malformations of the big toe, and progressive heterotopic ossifications as shown here in this picture.
And while people might look drastically different from one another, the truth is that humans are 99.9 percent identical in their genetic makeup.
“The visual differences or internal variations that occur in us are only due to a tiny variation in genetics,” Dr. Foster explained. “This is also why we are so similar to many other animals—from a genetic perspective.”
That remaining 0.1 percent, however, packs a punch. It determines everything from hair and eye color to height and even a person’s risk of developing certain diseases. All the diversity we see in humanity comes from that sliver of difference.
#16
Skull From A Person With Proteus Syndrome
#17
My Son Was Born With Natural Elf Ears
Peeka_Mimi 2 months ago
My youngest had little goblin ears with a tuft of hair at the points. My now ex would get so mad when I affectionately called her "my little goblin." She outgrew it by toddlerhood.
#18
Raynaud’s Syndrome (Phenomenon) On My Hand This Morning
Fingerprints are the most famous way to tell people apart. Even identical twins don’t share them. But they’re far from the only marker of individuality.
Ears, for instance, are just as distinctive. Yes, ears.
The ridges and folds of your outer ear are unique to you. In fact, forensic scientists have been using ear prints since the 1950s to identify suspects. In 1998, researchers proved that computers could distinguish between ear images, paving the way for today’s advanced techniques.
#19
I Have Marfan Syndrome. This Is My Hand Compared To My Face
#20
Mirror Foot Syndrome
PeepPeep the duck 2 months ago
I know they’ll redirect it via surgery and all but I wonder how it would be for swimming as an adult if you had two feet like this?
#21
My Son (7m) Has A Front Whorl/Cowlick With Hairs That Grow Longer Than The Rest
Joshua David 2 months ago
As a stylist I really feel sorry for this kid. Unless cropped short short, theres isnt a style that could blend that. Maybe he is adventurous and figures something out. I hope so.
Now, 3D scanning can create detailed ear models, while algorithms analyze geometric patterns like the distance between the lobe and upper edges. As a result, an ear can be recognized with 99.6% accuracy in just 0.02 milliseconds.
“As you grow older your ear doesn’t change—it just grows larger but the proportions remain the same,” Mark Nixon, a computer vision expert at the University of Southampton who has been one of the leading researchers in ear recognition, told BBC.
#22
Hyperdontia Is The Condition Of Having Supernumerary Teeth, Or Teeth That Appear In Addition To The Regular Number Of Teeth. They Can Appear In Any Area Of The Dental Arch
#23
I Was Born With Four Fingers (Missing The Middle Finger)
#24
I Have Rare A Hereditary Disorder Called Multiple Hereditary Exostosis Which Causes Bone Growths On Various Body Parts
Normally these aren't very noticable, but the one on my forearm grew on my growth plate, causing the bone to grow in the opposite direction.
Laserleader 2 months ago (edited)
Bone spurs from a crackd bone are common. I have one on my knee from when I knelt down on a rock as a kid. Can never kneel again without extreme pain and fearing I will break it off.
And it doesn’t stop there. Another identifier is your scent.
Studies funded by the U.S. Army Research Office found it’s possible to tell people apart by analyzing the chemical “cloud” we leave behind as we move. Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that a combination of 44 compounds secreted by the body creates a “thermal plume” that surrounds each person, like an invisible fingerprint of smell.
That’s the very trail search dogs follow. Scientists are now developing “electronic noses” to mimic the process, and even the UK’s Forensic Science Service has explored using scent traces in criminal investigations.
#25
Adam Rainer Was The Only Person In Recorded History To Have Been Both A Dwarf And A Giant. At 18 He Was 4'6", At 50 He Was 7'8"
This guy was believed to have acromegaly. It is a hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. When this happens, your bones increase in size, including those of your hands, feet and face. Acromegaly usually affects middle-aged adults.
#26
I Was Born With A Very Rare Disease Called Hereditary Progressive Arthro-Ophthalmodystrophy, Its A Connective Tissue Disorder That Literally Makes My Body Fall Apart
In addition to this, I also have very hypermobile joints that dislocate easily and a laundry list of other health problems.
#27
Compartment Syndrome One Year Later After A Skin Graft
Agfox 2 months ago
I had to look this one up: A “compartment” is the medical term for a group of muscles, nerves and blood vessels. Compartment syndrome happens when there’s too much pressure around your muscles. The pressure restricts (reduces) the flow of blood, fresh oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and nerves. Compartment syndrome is extremely painful
So yes, bodies are unbelievably cool. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface that makes them just as amazing as those rare, eye-catching traits we notice on the outside. The next time you’re sitting around feeling bored, remember: your body definitely isn’t.
#28
The Buton Tribe In Indonesia With Sparkling Blue Eyes Due To A Rare Genetic Disorder Called "Waardenburg Syndrome"
#29
My Wife Has Steven Johnson Syndrome. Which Means Her Fingernails Will Randomly Decide To Regrow Themselves
#30
Hyperhidrosis Sucks
Remi (He/Him) 2 months ago
One of the reasons I like warm weather. Sweating like that at +30°C isn't notable because you're one of the many. But when you're mopping up sweat at +10°C people will think you're contagious or have a hangover or something
#31
The Same Baby Face (Twins) With And Without Down Syndrome
#32
Was At A Water Park And Seen The "Hang Six" On The Wall It So Happens I Have 6 Toes On My Left Foot
#33
This Happens To My Hands At Cold Temperatures
#34
There's A Patch On My Leg That Doesn't Get Goosebumps
#35
My Son Was Born With A Black Spot Of Hair In His Blonde Hair. It Grows In Black, And There Is No Birth Mark Or Discoloration Under It
#36
Meet Matthias “Hellboy” Schlitte, The German Arm Wrestling Phenomenon With One Enormous Arm
#37
World's Longest Eyelash
#38
I Have Tentacles Under My Tongue- Apparently Not Everyone Does?
Multa Nocte (she/tiger quoll) 2 months ago (edited)
Oops, I also thought everyone did. I mean, mine aren't this awesome, I just thought it was part of the tongue and I guess I don't go around looking under other peoples' tongues much.
#39
My Grandpas Cool Eye
Debby Keir 2 months ago
Looks like a severe case of arcus senilis - common in old age, but often indicating high lipids, and not usually this 'noticeable'.
#40
None Of My Fingers (Or Toes) Have Middle Knuckles, And Its Hereditary
#41
My Grandma And I Have Extra Lines On Our Pinkies
#42
Customer Came In And Let Me Take A Picture Of Her Hands That Had 6 Fingers On Each
#43
Alice Elizabeth Doherty Was An American Woman Born With The Condition Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa
Anthony Elmore 2 months ago
Girl looks like she's going to go forge Mjolnir with her brother Brokkr (And look fabulous doing it. It's a very pretty dress).
#44
Waardenburg Syndrome Is A Rare, Genetic Condition Characterized By Congenital Hearing Loss And Abnormalities In Hair, Skin, And Eye Pigmentation
PeepPeep the duck 2 months ago (edited)
There was a whole family of girls I went to school with on Tamborine mountain that had this. Jet black hair and a ‘witches streak’. They were cool kids
#45
Woman With World's Longest Tongue
#46
Getting Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease As An Adult Is No Joke
Littlemiss 2 months ago
This is absolutely brutal to get as an adult. Right up there with chicken pox. Poor guy.
#47
I Have An Autoimmune Disorder That Has Made My Natural Hair Color Change Three Times The Last Month
Laserleader 2 months ago
I have immunodeficiency and my hair lost a lot of pigment when it all fell out after my first COVID, and then it came back for the most part later. My husband was platinum blonde as a child and now his hair is almost black 40 years later.
#49
What Lyme Disease Looks Like From A Tick Bite
Remi (He/Him) 2 months ago
If you get bitten by a tick and it does anything like that, get antibiotics asap! It's the difference between being miserable for a bit and having possibly life long symptoms
#50
Corectopia, When Your Pupil Is Not In The Center Of Your Eye
I had a picture taken professionally. I see just as well with my normal eye, born like this. Second picture I took myself with my phone and a water bubble on the lens.
Yrral Spavit 2 months ago
Was on a 2 week first aid course. We switched partners daily. Early in the 2nd week while doing an assessment on my new 'patient' I noted he had this condition. Said I was the first person in class to notice.
#51
My Bodies Overreaction To A Mosquito Bite (Skeeter Syndrome)
Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
Yikes. I used to attract mosquitos like crazy and would get huge itchy welts. After visiting an uninhabited island, I counted over 60 bites on my legs and arms. Since menopause, they don't bother me so much. Body chemistry and reactions are weird.
#52
I Have A Medical Condition Which Unfortunately Has Caused Some Major Scarring Over My Whole Body
#53
My Amputated Finger Is Way Colder Than The Rest Of My Hand
#54
The Little Razor Sharp Nail Pieces Growing From My Amputated Finger Tip
Debby Keir 2 months ago
That's not uncommon. The nail plate can start near the top joint, so amputation of the tip may lead to (very damaged) bits of nail still growing.
#55
I Was Born With Sectoral Heterochromia, Although It’s Rare
#56
I Accidentally Bit My Lip 3 Times In One Day. My Body Is Punishing Me With 6 Mouth Ulcers In A Circle. Like A Crop Circle Of Pain
I used to get loads of them. Regularly had 8-10 at any given time, turned out I was really low on iron and vit D. Sorted out my supplements and don't get anywhere as many.
Peeka_Mimi 2 months ago
I get them all the time and the dr said they're not herpetic but may be a result of anxiety. L Lysine works really well. I take 2000mg a day as soon as I feel a spot. Even if thry start to form, the L Lysine speeds up healing. So if you get them for whatever reason, try L Lysine.
#58
My Daughter Was Born With Two Different Hair Colors
#59
I Recently Was Diagnosed With Dermatographia (“Skin Writing”) Where Scratching The Skin Causes A Rash To Show Up Within Minutes
Joshua David 2 months ago
I had this my entire life up to about 30 and it just quit. Stopped doing it cold turks on me.
#60
I Don't Have A Left Shoulder Muscle
#62
I Went Outside To Check The Mail With Hyperhidrosis
Peeka_Mimi 2 months ago
My neuropathy caused hyperhidrosis isn't that bad but it was hell during covid with mandatory masking.
#63
Hydraulic Press vs. Tooth
#64
I Was Born With 12 Fingers, It Was Removed Shortly Afterwards
#65
I Was Diagnosed With Spondylolisthesis, A Condition Where A Vertebrae Moves Out Of Position. Managed To Run A 10k At 55mins While My Lower Back Looked Like This
PeepPeep the duck 2 months ago (edited)
Gah, my dad has ankolysing spondylitis. It’s so painful all the spondy conditions
#66
Hands Have Been Popular Lately, So Here Is One Of Mine! The Disorder Is Called Palmar Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis
Upstaged75 2 months ago
There's a lady on social media with this condition who posts about it. Her son inherited it as well. Except it's on the bottom of their feet too. The hard skin has to be regularly shaved off. And they don't have fingerprints!
#67
The Colour Difference Between My Hand And Leg
#68
My Eye Has A Very Obvious Dark Ring
Sara Frazer 2 months ago (edited)
Is that a rare thing?? My partner has this too. Well, moreso. This looks normal for any blue-eyed person I've ever seen. Which makes me think my partner's are more unusual. His are very pale, pretty much silver, except for a dark blue outer ring. Even more pronounced than the eye pictured here. Even i have brown eyes that are a lighter brickish-honey brown, except a dark, dark brown outer ring. My daughter has sky-blue eyes with a dark blue ring. My older sister has hazel eyes with a dark blue ring...my mom has pale green eyes with a green ring...This doesn't seem to be a rare phenomenon for most people...I could go on
#69
My Buddy's Skin Graft. His Calf Tattoo Is Now On His Foot
#70
Maci Currin, The 17 Year Old World Record Holder For The World's Longest Legs
According to the Guiness World Records: "The longest legs (female) belong to Maci Currin (USA) and measure 135.267 cm (53.255 in) for the left leg and 134.3 cm (52.874 in) for the right leg, as measured in Cedar Park, Texas, USA, on 21 February 2020.
Maci, a native of Austin, Texas, is 6 ft 10 in tall."
Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
Can't imagine finding pants to fit! I'm short - at least I can hem pants!
#72
Scar That I Was “Born With” Looks Like A Tear Next To My Eye
#73
Got From A Doctor And He Said That My Eyes Are Having A Rare Condition That Are Still Unknown For Him And Recommended Me To Go To The Specialist In One Of The Best Eye Center In My Country
One Thing doctor Told Me Is That My Only Solution Is Cornea Transplantion. I wear soft contacts and about a week ago my right eye went all red, watery, blurry, super sensitive to light, and it felt like something was stuck in there when i blinked. I also noticed this white/grayish spot on my cornea that you can literally see in the pictures. Now the redness and pain are mostly gone, but the cloudy gray spot is still there and my vision in that eye isn’t clear.
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What do you think ?
Laserleader 2 months ago
Aww. They missed my Guiness Record from last year... tallest female mouth gape. A full 3" although the average was 2.98". Lol
Laserleader 2 months ago
Aww. They missed my Guiness Record from last year... tallest female mouth gape. A full 3" although the average was 2.98". Lol
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