Human cellular replacement

[Chris OFarrell]

I have a bit of a question here, that came out of reading a few threads on another forum.

How much of the 'material' that makes up our bodies stays around? I mean if you take a snapshot of a body, then another a year later, how much of the matter will be the same matter? How long do certain cells stay in the body before being replaced by newer cells? I sort of have the impression that some cells are very short lived, while others, especially that which makes up neural tissue, stays around for a very long time...

Of course, I could be utterly wrong here, but I can't really find anything about this on the net that probably isn't outside real database engines of journals, medical textbooks e.t.c

[Singular Intellect]

Unless I'm mistaken, the pancreas regenerates every twenty four hours, the stomach lining every three days.

The whole body is renewed in about seven years.

I'm quoting a movie, so take those facts with a grain of salt.

[Broomstick]

Unless I'm mistaken, the pancreas regenerates every twenty four hours, the stomach lining every three days.

The whole body is renewed in about seven years.

I'm quoting a movie, so take those facts with a grain of salt.

That timetable seems a bit quick, especially regarding the pancreas.

Your red blood cells are replaced about once a month

Your intestinal lining and epidermis about once a month as well.

Some things, like skin and fingernails, grow on a continuous basis but the results - dead cells - may remain attached to the body for years.

Cells that remain relatively static for decades - such as some nerve cells - will nonetheless have molecules going in and out so over time the matter is gradually replaced, I assume your question was how long does that cycle take?

Some uncertainty is because damaged tissues may replace cells faster than for normal maintenance.