Organ

An organ is a body structure made up of different tissues that work together to perform one or more specific functions.

Examples of organs include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, and skin. Each organ contributes to one or more organ systems that help keep the body functioning normally.

QUICK FACT

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It is considered an organ because it contains multiple tissues and specialized structures that work together.

SEE ALSO

Clinical & Educational Context

Discussed in Health Articles & Guides

Explore how "Organ" is covered across our evidence-based editorial guides:

6 Articles
The Hard Parts of Medicine

Polypharmacy: What Really Happens When You Take Multiple Medicines

Cancer treatment, tuberculosis treatment, and organ-transplant care can also involve carefully selected combinations.
The Hard Parts of Medicine

Do You Need Supplements? What Medical Research Says

Do you need supplements to stay healthy, or can a balanced diet provide everything your body requires? Vitamins, minerals, and...
Medicine without Jargon

The Best Birthing Position: What Current Evidence Says

A woman in labor is ready to push. One nurse encourages her to lie back, while another suggests turning onto...
Health in the Wild

Food Packaging: Unexpected Food Safety Risks you need to know

You probably think about what is in your food, but how often do you think about what your food is...
Unstraight Lines

Kill Me a Little, Kill It More

Give me a poison, but let it know my enemy. Let it enter through my lips, travel the rivers beneath...
Health in the Wild

Noise Pollution 101: Everything You Need to Know

The organ of Corti is the specialized sensory structure within the cochlea that contains these important hair cells.