Definition of Organs (Human Body)

Throughout the evolution cells were developing a differentiation process that leads them to acquire particular properties characterized by their high specificity, this made it was necessary that cells of the same nature and that share similar functions were grouped, originating tissues that can be of a great variety of types.

On the other hand, different types of integrated tissues to carry out a certain function can join forming a more complex structure such as the organs that are integrated with each other to give rise to the devices and systems. In some cases, the same organ can be part of two devices or systems, as is the case of the pancreas, which is part of the apparatus digestive and endocrine system.

Together the devices and systems constitute living beings, each one specialized in an aspect necessary for the survival to the point that its failure carries important consequences for health that can even lead to death in the case of the so-called vital organs.

There are two types of organs

According to their shape, the organs can be of two main types, the solid organs and the hollow organs.

The solid organs they are, as their name implies, solid structures. They are made up of the specialized tissue called the parenchyma and the tissue that allows it to have its shape known as the stroma. These types of organs include the liver, spleen, kidneys and ovaries, among others.

The hollow organs are those that are formed by a wall that surround a cavity, the main example is the systems of absorption and excretion such as the digestive system and the urinary system, where food and blood respectively, pass through a series of structures in order to extract nutrients or necessary substances resembling a filter, giving rise at the end of the process to a waste product that can be accumulated until the moment of its elimination. In this example the waste products would be the feces that are stored in the rectum and the urine that is stored in the bladder, both hollow organs.

Some organs are vital for life

It is possible that a certain organ is injured and it is possible to continue living without it, as occurs with structures such as the colon and the stomach that in the case of tumor-like lesions can be removed from the body with surgery, usually after these procedures the patient recovers, even managing to eat almost normally.

In the case of the kidneys and the lungs it is possible to live with only one, some organs such as the organs of the senses (sight, smell, taste and hearing) may be completely absent even from the moment of birth.

Another group of organs are essential for life, which is why they are called vital organs, these include the brain, heart, pancreas, liver. Other organs are necessary for life but their absence or failure in their function can be managed with treatment or procedures, such as the thyroid gland, adrenals, pancreas, and kidneys.

Photos: iStock - ChrisChrisW / Remus Moise