Ep 3. Episode 3
- September 25, 2019
- 28 min
Operation Ouch is a British educational television series aimed towards children that explores the fascinating inner workings of the human body through a variety of exciting and engaging experiments, demonstrations, and special features. This season, the popular show is back for its ninth installment with a whole new array of fascinating facts and medical mysteries to uncover.
In episode three of Operation Ouch season nine, viewers are invited to delve deeper into the complex and curious world of our bodies. The episode begins with Dr. Xand van Tulleken and Dr. Chris van Tulleken exploring the ins and outs of the human stomach. The duo use some impressive 3D animation to show viewers what happens inside our stomachs when we eat food, and how our bodies use various enzymes and acids to break down nutrients.
Next up, viewers are treated to a very special guest appearance from television host Steve Backshall, who helps the doctors explore some of the human body's most incredible reflexes. Together, the trio investigate why we sneeze, why we hiccup, and even why we might sometimes experience something called 'brain freeze' when we eat something cold.
As the episode continues, viewers are introduced to an incredible implant that can potentially help those suffering from epilepsy. The device, called a VNS (or Vagal Nerve Stimulator), works by sending tiny electrical impulses to the brain to help control seizures. Dr. Xand explains how the VNS works, and viewers get to meet a young girl named Emily, who has been fitted with the implant and can now go long periods of time without experiencing seizures.
Another fascinating part of this episode is when the doctors explore some of the weird and wonderful ways that our body can survive extreme temperatures. Viewers are taken on a journey deep into the arctic, where they meet some incredible animals that can survive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees C. The doctors also explain why our bodies sometimes shiver when we're cold, and how this is actually a clever biological response that helps us generate heat.
Finally, viewers get to explore a topic that many adults find challenging: the importance of good dental hygiene. Dr. Chris van Tulleken visits a local dental surgery to get the lowdown on how to keep our teeth and gums healthy, as well as getting some top tips on how to make brushing our teeth as fun as possible for kids. The doctors also explore some of the more gruesome and uncomfortable dental procedures that people used to undergo in the past, and show how modern dentistry has come a long way since then.
Overall, episode three of Operation Ouch season nine is yet another fantastic instalment in the long-running series. With fun and informative segments on everything from the human stomach to extreme cold survival, and the importance of dental hygiene, this episode is sure to fascinate and inspire young viewers - and perhaps even teach a thing or two to adults!