The 25 main organs of the human body

We review the different parts of the human body that make it functional.

Our body is not a homogeneous and uniform mass. We are complex organisms, being made up of a large number of different types of cells, tissues, organs and systems that as a whole allow to a greater or lesser extent our survival and adaptation to the environment.

The organs of the human body are a fundamental part of this whole, and there is a great variety of them.There is a great variety of them throughout the human body. In this article we will briefly review just that, the main organs of the human body.

Reviewing the concept: what is an organ?

Although this is something that most people already know, it is worth mentioning briefly what we consider an organ, as there can often be confusion between this concept and that of tissue.

We consider an organ to be any set of set of associated organic tissues that form a structured and organized whole as a unit.They can perform one (or several) specific functions within the organism. Generally, organs are associated with each other forming different systems, which together regulate the different processes linked to specific physiological and behavioral functionalities.

Although practically all organs have their function, it is true that not all of them are essential for our survival. not all of them are essential for our survivalThere are some that are more relevant than others and even organs without which it is possible to live. Likewise, we also possess some elements inherited from our ancestors whose role is merely vestigial.

Main organs of the human body

There are an enormous number of different organs scattered throughout our body. Although technically more than eighty different organs can be found and classified in the human body, in this article we will focus on some of the most fundamental and recognizable as such.

1. Brain

The so-called king organ, the brain is the core of the nervous system and is responsible for managing all bodily functions by sending nerve signals that govern the rest of the organs and systems. Its action allows life (in fact, brain death is considered real death) and the performance of any type of behavior. Perception and movement, as well as intellectual abilities, are produced by its performance and correct functioning. It consists of neurons and glial tissues.

2. Heart

Organ formed by muscular tissue and nucleus of the cardiovascular system, the heart main function is to pump blood throughout the organism.. Thanks to its performance we can carry oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the organs and body systems, allowing their survival.

3. Lungs

The lungs are another of the main organs of the body, and in this case they are the main element of the respiratory system. the main element of the respiratory system. They are two large organs that occupy a large part of the thorax and whose main function is to obtain oxygen from the environment to allow cellular respiration while eliminating carbon dioxide and other waste generated by the functioning of the body. These elements are carried from the lungs to the rest of the body or from the organs to the lungs through the blood.

4. Stomach

The so-called second brain is another organ that allows us to survive. It is the organ in charge of diluting the food that we ingest thanks to the acids present in it and to those sent by diverse vesicles and other organs of the system. Thanks to its action, we can digest the food and subsequently absorb its nutrients.

5. Liver

Important organ of the human body and part of the digestive system, its action allows us to metabolize the nutrients and the different substances we consume. It is also fundamental when it comes to eliminating and purging elements that are considered harmful to the body.

6. Pancreas

Another of the most important organs of the body, the pancreas is part of the digestive and endocrine system. It secretes different enzymes and hormones that allow the management and regulation of different elements, such as the glycemic level through insulin secreted by the islets of Langerhans, or glucagon or ghrelin.

7. Intestines (large and small)

The large and small intestines are a main part of the digestive tract, as well as the longest. Its importance is capital, since when passing the food previously digested in the stomach by them they are in charge of absorbing nutrientsThey are the main part of the digestive tract, so that our survival is possible.

8. Kidneys

Fundamental element of the organism, these organs allow the depuration and filtering of the blood in such a way that toxins and residues generated by the body's functioning can be eliminated through the excretory system. In addition, it allows the reabsorption of blood to be resent through the circulatory system and acts as an important element in body homeostasis and Blood Pressure regulation. and blood pressure regulation.

9. Thymus

This organ (although some authors consider it only a gland) is part of the immune system and is of great importance for our survival. In the thymus we can find the organ in which the T lymphocytes, white blood cells essential for the defense of the organism against bacterial aggressions and toxic external substances and which are generated in the spinal cord, mature and differentiate.

10. Spleen

Although in the past it was believed that the spleen was an organ without function or even vestigial, the truth is that although it is possible to live without it, it does have relevant functions for our health. In fact, it is considered part of the lymphatic system and the largest organ of the lymphatic system.

To begin with, the spleen fulfills the important function of serving as a storehouse of blood, which allows us to maintain adequate and constant levels of this element circulating through our organism. But its function is not limited to being a mere storehouse: it is also part of the lymphatic and immune systems. also forms part of the lymphatic and immune systems, acting as a filter and contributingIt is also part of the lymphatic and immune systems, acting as a filter and contributing to the synthesis of antibodies. It also contributes to the destruction of damaged red blood cells and to the balance of fluids in the body. Finally, this organ is characterized by having hematopoietic cells, the immature stem cells that can end up generating different cell types depending on the need.

11. Bladder

An important part of the organism is the bladder, an organ in the form of a small sac that stores the urine, product of the filtering carried out by the kidneys, and that later will allow the expulsion through the urethra.

12. Eyes

The sensory organs are also very important for our survival for our survival, since they allow us to detect what is happening outside. The eyes are one of the most important sensory organs, allowing us to perceive images by capturing light stimuli, which are then processed by the brain.

13. The ear

The ear is a sensory structure that allows us to capture the information coming from the vibration of waves, being able to capture sounds thanks to it. However, it is a structure made up of multiple elements. One of the most relevant ones is the organ of CortiThe organ of Corti, which is the real responsible for the reception of auditory stimuli.

14. Nose

Identified as the main olfactory organ, the elements that form part of the nose allow the detection and identification of odors. In addition, it is through the nostrils that most people (although some breathe through the mouth) bring oxygen from the outside into our body and excrete the carbon dioxide produced during respiration. It acts as a filter for microorganisms and heats the air that enters the body. The vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ, linked to the perception of pheromones, deserves special mention.

15. Tongue

Organ formed by muscular tissue that is is fundamental for multiple functions such as feeding or communicating orally. orally. In it we can find the taste buds, which allow us to capture the flavors of different foods or substances that come into contact with our mouth.

16. Penis

The penis is one of the main existing male sexual organs. It is an erectile element that allows copulation by filling its cavernous by filling its cavernous bodies with blood. and the transmission of semen to the outside. In addition, unlike in women, it also allows the expulsion of urine through the same organ.

17. Testicles

Part of the reproductive and endocrine systemThe testicles are two structures that generate and store sex hormones such as testosterone and male reproductive cells, the spermatozoa.

18. Prostate

An organ in the form of a gland that is part of the male reproductive system and whose main function is to secrete substances that allow the survival and protection of the spermatozoa, being fundamental in the production of semen.

19. Clitoris

The female sexual organ that enjoys the privilege of being the point of the organism with the greatest number of nerve endings in the human body.. Its only known function at the moment is to provide pleasure during sexual intercourse or with its stimulation through other means. Interestingly, penis and clitoris arise throughout development from the same structure, and both can become erect.

20. Ovaries

Located above the fallopian tubes, the ovaries are female sex organs that are also part of the endocrine system. They are the structures in which eggs are produced and develop, as well as one of the main producers of estrogen. one of the main producers of estrogen and progesterone and progesterone in women.

21. Uterus

Organ made up mainly of muscular and endothelial tissueThis is the part of the female body that houses the future baby while it is gestating and provides it with nourishment and oxygen through blood vessels.

22. Skin

One of the most externally visible organs, the skin is the layer of tissue that covers our body and separates us from external stimulation, being a protective element. In addition to it, protects us against dehydration and participates in the regulation of body temperature and excretion (through the sweat glands present in it) of toxins. and the excretion (through the sweat glands present in it) of toxins. It is an adaptable and flexible organ of great importance for our survival, yet it is not often given the same attention as other major organs.

23. Bones

Our bones can be considered an organ, whose main function is to protect the main organs (brain, heart and lungs) and to maintain a body structure that allows our basic functionality. In addition to this, they are linked to the creation of blood cells and autoimmunity, as well as a storage and homeostatic system of substances such as calcium and fats (in the yellow marrow). (in the yellow marrow).

24. Muscles

Our musculature could also be identified as an organ. Its main function is to allow movement, both voluntary and involuntary (e.g., respiratory or digestion), by contracting and dilating.

25. Teeth

These small elements present in the mouth could also be considered an organ and can have different functions. The main and most obvious one is the chewing and preparation of solid food to be transported through the digestive tract. to be transported through the digestive tract and for the nutrients to be absorbed. They can also serve as a defensive element against external aggressions, such as a predator or a member of our own species. They also participate along with the rest of the buccophonatory organs in communication.

... And many more

As we have said, there are about eighty organs that make up our organism, of which we have only exposed some of the most important. The esophagus, the urethra, glands such as the thyroid.... depending on where we put the limits we will find more or less structures identifiable as organs. There is still a lot of research to be done.

It may be thought that today we know a lot about the body. However, there is still a lot of misinformation about how our body acts, limiting the available knowledge about different bodily functions and processes to multiple more or less accepted theories.

Numerous advances and discoveries continue to be made even today. For example, relatively recently the existence of what has come to be considered yet another organ was discovered: the mesentery. This organ is part of the digestive tract, being a fold of the peritoneum that keeps the intestines in place by attaching it to the posterior abdominal wall (although its functions beyond this have yet to be further analyzed). In conclusion, there are many organs and much more research that can be done on the functioning of our body, something that is still largely unknown to us.