BODY WORLDS: Vital

The next chapter in the global phenomenon BODY WORLDS features more than 150 real human specimens—including 20 whole-body plastinates—offering an unparalleled journey beneath the skin.

This exhibition goes beyond anatomy to tell the story of how our lifestyle choices, emotions, and behaviors shape our health and well-being. Enhanced with engaging media experiences, these vivid displays of real anatomical specimens reveal the complexity, resilience, and vulnerability of the human body. From the mechanics of artificial knee and hip joints to healthy and diseased lungs, guests will gain a profound appreciation for the human body’s ability to thrive under optimal conditions—and its struggles during illness. 

As the original and acclaimed exhibition of real human bodies, BODY WORLDS has captivated more than 56 million people in 168 cities worldwide since its debut. The Franklin Institute has hosted three iterations of BODY WORLDS, including the East Coast debut of the original exhibit in 2005, which drew record-breaking crowds of over 600,000 visitors.