Plum-Tuckered Out

The tiny brain cells just couldn't handle much more. They were tired and had spent a long semesters processing several math equations and science formulas. They just wanted a good solid break.

So, the tiny brain cells decided to take a vacation.

"Where should we go?" said brain cell IV.

"Well, I've always wanted to visit the spinal nerves," said brain cell X.

"I want to visit Cardium to thank him for all he's done to keep the erythrocytes and leukocytes circulating," said brain cell VII.

"While we're at it, we might as well visit Stomachio," said brain cell V. "He's been supplying us with so many nutrients of late."

"A good idea. Let's visit them all."

So, brain cells IV, V, VII, and X traveled down the spinal cord first to say 'hi' to the spinal nerves. They had a lot in common. First, they exchanged greetings. Second, they talked about the cranial nerves and compared them to the spinal nerves. Third, they talked about the burden of keeping the body operating 60/24 and 24/7. Fourth, they exchanged adieus.

Next was the visit to Cardium. Cardium was so busy though, that they only had time to say "Thank --" before he had to go off to shut the aortic and pulmonary semilunar valves. He spoke very fast too. When they left, he said something like, "Iz ze me oo," (say it very fast) which translates to "It was nice meeting you."

The last area the tiny brain cells visited was to Stomachio. Cardium had no trouble pumping them through the aorta and out the left gastroepiploic artery.

When Stomachio came into view, brain cell V said, "He's bigger than I thought he'd be."

"He has to be," said brain cell X.

"Hey, Stomachio!"

A heavy gurgling sound was emitted.

"What did he say?" asked brain cell V.

"Does anyone speak Gurglois?" asked brain cell X.

"I do," answered brain cell IV. "I think he said, 'greetings little masters of the Brian.'"

"Tell him that we four have traveled thus far, bearing the gift of greetings from Cerebrum," said brain cell X.

Brain cell IV made a gurgling noise -- not as loud as Stomachio's, but still louder than any of his companions expected:

"GRRROMBLE LOMBLE LIDDELLY LUM, DA HEBLUM CWAMBLEMBE."

Stomachio responded in his deep rumblings. V nudged (or rather bumped; brain cells can't nudge) IV, "What'd he say?"

"He says 'And why have my little masters decided to venture so far from the safe haven of Brian's cerebrospinal fluid?'"

The tiny brain cells told Stomachio of their need for a break. How they had felt tired and burned out from the semester. How they discussed taking a vacation. How they decided where to visit. IV acted as interpreter for the whole session, until it was time for the journey back to the Brian.

The surrounding arteries were very helpful. They willingly vasodilated so that the tiny brain cells could preform diapedesis. After squeezing out of the gastroepiploic artery, they floated in the surrounding plasma until they were sucked into some capillaries that let them travel to the inferior vena cava. They had the chance to say 'hi' to Cardium again as they passed through him and out the pulmonary artery to Lungi. After a brief 'hello' to Lungi, they passed back through Cardium again until finally they made it to the aorta. From there, they made it easily back home.

"Whew! I'm tired," said brain cell IV.

"So'm I," said brain cell V.

"I feel like I'm going to burst a ribosome," said brain cell VII.

"Well, we're almost home," said brain cell X.

And so they were. The happy, tired, yet refreshed squad took their places back in the cerebrum and waited for another day of science formulas.