Human anatomy a mystery to many

LONDON, June 12 (UPI) -- Just half of the 722 people interviewed for an anatomy study knew where their heart was located, researchers at England's Kings College said.

Only a third were able to identify the correct position for lungs, the study published in the medical journal MMC Family Practice said.

The researchers questioned members of the public and patients at three hospitals in London, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday. The results were no better than those of a similar study conducted in 1970, lead researcher John Weinman said.

Study participants were shown drawings of a male or female body with one organ in the correct place and the rest of the organs misplaced. Overall, 85.9 percent of those interviewed knew where the intestines belonged while 80.7 percent knew where the bladder belonged.

Based on the study, healthcare professionals should not assume patients are knowledgeable about their organs, even those organs in which their medical problem is located, Weinman said.