Google Body Browser gives a detailed ‘look’ at the human body


We can’t always fault Google for trying new things. Today, the search company launched the Google Body Browser, a page that lets you view and search for, in three dimensions, any organ or organ system in the human body. Unfortunately, getting it to work is a bit difficult. Because it uses WebGL, a 3D graphics API that runs within a browser, you must install a beta version of the Google Chrome browser to try it out. After you install the beta, restart your browser and it should work.

“Body Browser is a detailed 3D model of the human body,” said Google in the introduction. “You can peel back anatomical layers, zoom in, and navigate to parts that interest you. Click to identify anatomy, or search for muscles, organs, bones and more.”

While it is easy to kill a few minutes searching for metatarsals and seeing what breast tissue looks like, the Body Browser is a bit limited. As best we can tell, there is no way to switch from the default female body and aside from looking at organs, there is no way to find additional written, audio, or video information about the human body. It’s about on par with Google’s Sky Map Android app. Both, however, might make you sound a bit brighter on your next date.

There is no word on if an Android version of the Body Browser is on the way. Until then, those preparing for the Boards will have to find a browser.  Honestly though, this may not help you either way.