Romulan Anatomy and Physiology

Introduction

Romulans are typically above the average height of most humanoids, with adult males ranging from 6’0” to 6’7”, and adult females from 5’7” to 6’0”.

They also tend to be heavier than expected for their height, due to the increased density of their muscle tissue, which is attached very strongly to their basic skeletal structure.

• Adult males usually weight from 145 to 250 pounds
• Adult females range from 126 to 165 pounds

The combination of increased muscle density, strong skeletal attachment, and extra height, tends to give Romulans a natural ability toward martial arts and athletic events.

A high metabolic rate aids in the rapid healing of minor injuries. Romulans are generally a long-lived species. The average life span is approximately 220-250 years, though for the last ten to fifteen of these years, the individual may be in a relatively weakened state.

Romulans have very little genetic or racial diversity. Genetic mutations are not tolerated within the Romulan Star Empire. Most Romulans have dark hair and eyes with tanned, slightly green-tinted skin. Romulan skin is a more extensive moisture-proof barrier than the skin of most other humanoid species, and due to specialized skin cells, can absorb moisture directly from the environment. Romulan skin is constantly hot to the touch and, in most cases, has a slight healthy green tint.

Although Romulan DNA is similar to those of other humanoids, Romulan blood structures are based on copper, not iron, hence the typical greenish cast to the skin in a healthy individual.

External Anatomy

Ears: The top of the Romulan ear tapers to a defined point. Males tend to have larger ears and more prominent points than females. Their hearing is very acute, especially in the higher sound frequencies, and is significantly greater than most other humanoids (with the exception of Vulcans).

Eyes: Romulan eyes are forward-facing, with a clear inner eyelid that aids in filtering out harmful radiation. The action of this membrane is totally instinctive rather than voluntary. Romulans have acute night vision, but somewhat decreased vision in extremely bright light.

Nose: A Romulan's sense of smell is similar to most humanoids. The Romulan nose is specifically adapted to filtering dust and conserving moisture, moreso than most humanoids. This is an evolutionary adaptation from their distant ancestors’ lives in the deserts of Vulcan.

Mouth: The basic oral structures of Romulans are almost identical to other humanoid species. However, with only two sets of molars instead of the customary three, adult Romulans have a total of 28 teeth, unlike most humanoid species who have 32. The Romulan sense of taste is best for salty and bitter foods. They enjoy highly spiced or seasoned foods more than sweets.

• Although many Romulans are strictly vegetarians, the typical Romulan diet includes fish, poultry, seafood, and a variety of lean game meats.
  Dietary preferences vary widely throughout the Romulan Star Empire, vary according to province of origin, custom, and the availability of specific foods.

Musculo-Skeletal System

The Romulan musculo-skeletal system is much like those of other humanoids. The adult Romulan skeleton consists of 212 individual bones, which are arranged into a strong, flexible body framework. These bones perform the mechanical functions of support, protection, and body movement, as well as the metabolic functions of "copperpoiesis" (the production of green blood cells from the bone marrow) and mineral storage.

Although the Romulan skeleton is at first glance almost indistinguishable from those of other humanoids, there are certain differences. For example, the bones of the Romulan skeleton are more dense, and therefore heavier, than most. They have a small, extra carpal bone at the base of the thumb, and so the bones of the Romulan wrist and hand number 28 in total. Their rib cage has 14, rather than 12, ribs on each side of the rib cage.

Like the skeletal system, the Romulan muscular system is much like that of the other humanoid species. However, Romulan muscular density is increased, and the muscles have a very strong attachment to the skeletal system.

Internal Organs

Romulan internal organs are very dense and slightly heavier than expected.

Lungs: The large, paired lungs, are efficient oxygen producers, with approximately 20 percent more efficiency than the lungs of similar species.

Rib cage: The Romulan rib cage is also larger and sturdier than that of most humanoids. Serious students of humanoid biology will immediately recognize that the skeletal structure of the Romulan rib cage has two additional ribs on each side. The additional ribs extend downward to protect not only the enhanced lungs, but also the heart.

Heart: Due to the increased size of the Romulan lungs, the internal arrangement of the Romulan heart (and liver) are shifted toward the right side of the body, with the heart basically beneath the right lung. There is a small notch on the lower lobe of the right lung. This space allows for proper movement of both the heart and lung. The heart itself is an extremely muscular, four-chambered organ with strong, flexible walls. Normal heart rate for adults is 242 beats per minute, over twice as fast as that of certain other humanoid species. In spite of this rapid heart rate, Romulan blood pressure levels are actually very low.

• This apparent inconsistency is explained in part by the extremely large size of typical Romulan blood vessels. Due to the larger size of their arteries and veins, such conditions such as stroke, or congestive heart failure are all but non-existent in the Romulan population.

Liver: The Romulan liver serves the same function as the liver in all humanoid species. In Romulans however, its actual anatomical location is shifted more centrally back toward the stomach. The Romulan liver is somewhat smaller in size than those found in other, similar species. Since the Romulan diet is typically very low in fats, the liver has evolved additional capacity for the storage of converted simple sugars, and is capable of storing up to 60 percent of its weight in these sugars.

Stomach and Intestines: The Romulan stomach is divided into two chambers. By the time food reaches the second chamber, it is almost completely digested. The main function of the Romulan intestines is to reabsorb as much of the remaining moisture from the food as possible. This results in the production of extremely dry and pellet-like waste products.

Kidneys: Like their Vulcan ancestors, Romulans have highly effective kidneys, capable of reabsorbing all but about 10 percent of consumed fluids. Waste from the kidneys therefore has quite a dark and oily texture.

Fetal Development

Romulan females are capable of procreation at any time after the age of sexual maturation, which is usually around fifteen years of age. They produce at most two eggs per cyclic period from paired ovaries. Romulan males are also capable of procreation at age of sexual maturation, usually around age 17 years.

The Romulan fetus normally has a twelve-month period of intrauterine development, with a resultant birth weight of between 7 and 10 pounds. While twins occasionally develop, they are always identical. No recorded instances of multiple births (more than two) are found among the Romulan population.

Although motherhood during teenage years is possible for Romulans, it is socially unacceptable and rarely occurs. Most females do not give birth to their first child before the age of 40.
However, mating for the express purpose of having children without the ceremony of marriage is a socially acceptable and frequent practice.