Ibn al-Nafis

Hello, my name is Ibn al-Nafis. I was a doctor a long, long time ago, back in the 1200s. I loved helping people feel better when they were sick. My favorite thing to do was ask questions. I was very curious about how our amazing bodies worked. I especially wanted to know all about our hearts. Thump-thump, thump-thump. I wondered what the heart was doing all day long. Asking questions is the first step to learning something new.

My biggest question was about our blood. How does blood move around inside of us to keep us healthy and strong. I thought about it for a very long time. In the year 1242, I figured out something amazing. I learned that our blood takes a special trip. It goes from one side of the heart to the lungs to get fresh air. It is like when you take a big, deep breath. Then, the blood full of fresh air goes back to the other side of the heart. From there, the heart pumps the happy, healthy blood all around your body, from your head to your toes.

I lived to be about 75 years old, and I spent my whole life learning and helping people. I died in the year 1288. My discovery about the heart's special trip with the blood helped many other doctors understand our bodies better. It makes me so happy to know that by asking questions, I could help people stay healthy for many, many years to come. Always be curious and keep asking questions.