Images Dated 7th September 2004

Standing stones

Standing stones. This is Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria, England. It is on the level top of a hill in the Lake District. There are 38 stones making a circle about 30 metres across, with other stones within the circle. The tallest stone is more than 2 metres tall. It is thought that it was built in around 3000 BC, the later part of the Stone Age. It is believed that it was used by the prehistoric peoples of the area for ceremonial or religious purposes. It may also have been used in astronomy, as several astronomical alignments can be observed with the stones. The site is owned by the National Trust

© JEREMY WALKER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Nose, mouth and throat

Nose, mouth and throat. Cutaway artwork of the anatomy of the nose, mouth and throat. The large nasal cavity (upper centre) is lined with nerves (yellow) branching from the olfactory bulb (above) that leads back to the brain. At the back of the nasal cavity, and also at left of the eye, are two of the facial sinuses (spaces in the bone). In the mouth, teeth are seen embedded in the jaw bones. The roof of the mouth is both bone and soft tissue (the soft palate). When closed, most of the mouth is filled with the tongue. The nose and mouth lead into the pharynx, which splits into the oesophagus (rear) and trachea (front). The top of the trachea is the larynx (voicebox, hole at lower right)

© JOHN BAVOSI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Brain nausea reflex

Brain nausea reflex. Artwork of the location in the brain of the area responsible for the various nausea reflexes, and some of the causes. Part of the base of the brain (seen from the side, front of the brain at left) is seen at centre. Several coloured areas are seen in the brainstem, an area of the brain responsible for basic reflexes like breathing. Nausea can be triggered by (clockwise from upper right): smell (olfactory nerves shown), sight, pregnancy, bad food (sectioned stomach and duodenum shown), a brain tumour, or dizziness (the semicircular canals of the ear that give a sense of balance, are shown). The reflex, if triggered, provokes vomiting and emptying of the stomach

© JOHN BAVOSI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY