# How much of a body can be amputated and survive?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-body-can-be-amputated-and-survive/620183>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 27, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-body-can-be-amputated-and-survive/620183 "2012-04-27T21:51:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-body-can-be-amputated-and-survive/620183/1 "2012-04-27T21:51:00Z")

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A question brought to mind “thanks” to #3 of [this Cracked article](http://www.cracked.com/article_18672_the-6-creepiest-things-ever-slipped-into-childrens-cartoons_p2.html).  
The title pretty much says it all. How much of the human body can be amputated while leaving the body alive and the brain’s higher functions working, even if only with the help of current medical machines and treatments.  
Since I’m looking for a (hopefully) theoretical answer; mods, please move if not right for GQ.

Thanks in advance - DESK

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**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-body-can-be-amputated-and-survive/620183/2 "2012-04-27T22:13:51Z")

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[at least half](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=629518&highlight=hemicorporectomy)

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**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-body-can-be-amputated-and-survive/620183/3 "2012-04-27T22:49:22Z")

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> [@Cub\_Mistress](#):
>
> [at least half](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=629518&highlight=hemicorporectomy)

Thanks for the link, **Cub Mistress**. I hope **Angel1366** isn’t offended or disturbed by my question. She’s the ultimate definition of survivor.  
I mean my question to be theoretical only.

Peace - DESK

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**Author:** ![isaiahrobinson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@isaiahrobinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isaiahrobinson)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-body-can-be-amputated-and-survive/620183/4 "2012-04-28T14:33:59Z")

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You can lose a surprising proportion of the head as long as the spinal cord and brain aren’t damaged. [This video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z5D9dZVYbs) on Youtube shows a man in Syria in the recent uprisings who has has lost most of the lower part of his face, but is still perfectly conscious (watch out though - that video is extremely graphic).

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-body-can-be-amputated-and-survive/620183/5 "2012-04-28T14:48:23Z")

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> [@isaiahrobinson](#):
>
> You can lose a surprising proportion of the head as long as the spinal cord and brain aren’t damaged.

Actually, you can lose [a surprising amount of the brain](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh41T4RVIIs) and still function normally.