StarTalk Radio Replaceable You with Mary Roach
Dec 12, 2025
Join bestselling author Mary Roach, known for her humorous science insights, as she dives into the fascinating world of organ replacement and prosthetics. She explains her unusual journalistic methods and explores unique medical topics, from the history of nasal replacements to the use of the golden ratio in cosmetic surgery. Discover the cutting-edge advances in prosthetics, challenges with organ rejection, and the intriguing potential of growing human organs in pigs. Prepare to be entertained and informed about the future of medicine!
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Rhinoplasty Origins And Arm‑To‑Face Flaps
- Mary recounts the long history of nose replacement from punitive denudation to Tagliacacci's 1500s flap techniques.
- She describes arm-attached-to-face harnesses and a statue of Tagliacacci holding a nose in Bologna.
Focus On Legs For Biggest Impact
- Prioritize lower‑limb prosthetics research because legs yield greater functional gains and uptake than arms.
- Consider battery life, weight, and gait learning when choosing microprocessor prosthetics.
Bone‑Anchored Prosthetics Tradeoffs
- Osseointegration offers direct bone anchoring for prosthetics, restoring better sensation through the skeleton.
- Infection risk and skin breach remain key obstacles compared with dental implants.
