Human Body Organs: Largest Organs of the Body With Names and Functions Organs of the Body & Organs Systems of the Body Organs and Organ Systems of the Human Body: Do you know how the functions like communication, transportation, reproduction and growth are executed through the collective effort of different organs of the body? Though you would already be having a vast pool of information about your body, this article aims at revealing some stunning facts which may not be known to you. In biology, a cell is known as the basic building block and the smallest unit of life. When similar cells combine into a group, they form a tissue. Two or more tissues, on the other hand, combine to form an important entity, called an organ. The grouping of different organs results in the formation of organ system. There are as many as 78 organs which form groups and work in coordination with one another to accomplish a particular task. A group of organs assigned to complete a specific function, on the other hand, is called an organ system. For example, heart, blood, blood vessels and lungs are the major components of the blood circulatory system. Do you know how many organ systems are there in your body?

Well, there are nearly a dozen organ system, each made up of multiple individual organs working in coordination with one another. At the same time, there is coordination and linkage between different organ systems which combine to form an individual. Among them, brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys are considered as the major or vital organs of the human body. The master organ, the brain, serves as CPU or control center, while beating of heart is considered as the sign of life in an individual. The lungs assist in the supply of oxygen to every individual cell and the removal of carbon dioxide outside the body. The liver attaches with itself at least three superlative degrees, i.e. it is the largest, heaviest and hottest internal organ. Kidney serve as an important component of the excretory system which is responsible for the removal of the excess, unnecessary materials from the body fluids. Major Organs of the Body: All the organs of the body are not essential for the survival of an individual. There are certain organs, like arms, legs, stomach, large intestine, and tongue the complete removal of which will not put your life at risk. The other organs, like brain, heart, kidney, lungs and pancreas, etc. are indispensable for your survival.

They are called the major or vital organs of your body. You can have a bird eye view of the shape, size and functioning of the major body organs through the following description: The Master Organ: Lying on the top of the body and enclosed in an incredibly hard protective cover of skull, the brain serves as the control center for all the functions of the body. Nearly 1.4-kilogram mass of brain occupies over 1200 cubic centimeter of space and accounts for about two percent of the total body weight. Just like the brain of other mammalian species, it is distinguishable into three basic divisions of forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. In absolute terms, the human brain is smaller than those of large mammals, like whales and elephants. But, when you take into account the measure of relative brain size, it happens to be twice as large as that of the bottlenose dolphin. The Pumping Organ: One of the most vital organs in the body, the heart is assigned the role of pumping blood with such a force that it reaches every individual cell. The blood carries with it nutrients as well as oxygen which are to be delivered to all the cells.

Another important function of blood is to transport waste substances and gases for elimination out of body. Measuring 5 inches in length, 3.5 inches in width and 2.5 inches in thickness, the human heart appears to be the size of a fist. However, an athlete’s pumping organ may grow much larger in size due to excessive exercise. There are four chambers in it, with the upper two being atria and the lower ones termed as ventricles. The Respiratory Organ: Lungs are the respiratory organs as they are involved in the exchange of gases. If these vital organs are removed due to some disease, the affected person won’t be able to live anymore. They are found in the chest region on either side of the heart. The major tubular branches are called bronchi which gradually divide into bronchioles and alveoli – the smallest air sacs with single cell lining. The primary role assigned to them is the extraction of oxygen from the atmospheric air and release carbon dioxide from the body. As you inhale air into lungs, oxygen is transferred to the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide in the bloodstream is transferred to the atmosphere.

Dual-Functioning Glandular Organ: Located behind the stomach in the abdominal cavity, the pancreas is a glandular organ. Owing to its dual-functionality, it is the closely associated with both the digestive system and endocrine system. This six-inch large organ can be distinguished into body, tail, neck and head. Looking at its digestive function, the pancreas secretes and releases an enzyme-containing fluid into duodenum of small intestine, called pancreatic juice. It is known as an exocrine secretion. These enzymes help in the digestion of lipids, proteins and fats. The endocrine secretion of the organ contains some very important hormone, including insulin and glucagon. The Filtration Organ: The liver, kidney and lungs are the organs that purify blood. The enzymes secreted by liver detoxify various harmful substances and lungs eliminate carbon dioxide (a waste respiratory gas) from the blood. The kidneys, on the other hand, serve as the natural purifiers of your body. Located in the back of abdomen, there are two bean-shaped kidneys with each measuring five or six inches in length. Their primary function is to filter waste substances from the blood and eliminate the same out of the body in the form of urine.

The Detoxifying Organ: Metabolically, liver is the most complex organ in humans as it is assigned to form a number of different metabolically important functions. In addition to detoxifying poisonous substances, it also manufactures proteins and hormones. Other functions of the liver include blood clotting, control of blood sugar and killing germs. As a detoxifier, the liver transforms various harmful substances like ammonia, metabolic wastes, alcohol and chemicals, into less harmful compounds. These neutralized and less harmful substances are then excreted out of the body. The Vision Organ: Though not included in the list of vital organs, your eye makes you able to enjoy the soothing and fascinating colors of natural and artificial worlds around you. This complex organ has the potential to detect a single photon as well as distinguish nearly ten million colors! The structure of eye can be distinguished into a small corneal segment and a large sclerotic chamber, measuring in 8 mm and 24 mm, respectively. Typically, an adult human eye may measure up to 7.5 gram in weight and six cubic centimeters in volume. The Organ of Food Absorption: An integral component of the digestive system, the small bowel or small intestine serves as the major organ of food absorption.

At the same time, it also plays an important role in the process of digestion. All the major types of food, namely, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, are further digested and broken down into smaller absorbable products. The small intestine is a bit longer in human females. It runs for the length of 6.9m and 7.1m in an adult male and female, respectively. It can have the diameter of up to 1 inch or a bit more. Interestingly, the total surface area can be as large as 30 square meters! But how is it possible? Well, these are the folds, villi and microvilli which significantly contribute to the enlargement of the surface area. Interesting Body Organs Facts: The master organ brain is the control center of the body, acting just like CPU of a computer. Your liver is not only the hottest but also the largest and metabolically most complex internal organ of your body. With 60% of the dry weight contributed by fats, the brain happens to be the fattiest organ. The skin is the largest body organ which stretches across an area of 2 square meters and accounts for approximately fifteen percent of the body weight.

The only organs of your body that can float on water are the lungs as they can hold nearly a liter of air at any moment. If all the airways running through the lungs are joined end to end, they can go up to the length of 2,400 kilometers! The rapid progress in the field of neuroscience has turned many of the ‘brain facts’ of past into ‘brain myths’ of today. Though human beings have been struggling to explore the secret power of brain for centuries, it still remains the least explored human body organ. Though accounting for just 2% of weight, the master organ utilizes around 20% of the total oxygen as well as energy required by the body. If taken out and joined end to end in a straight line, the blood vessels present in the skin can measure as long as eleven miles. Do you know that your memory, attention and other cognitive skills can severely be affected with just two percent dehydration of gray matter in the skull? Listed among the fundamental organs, the kidneys play the role of purification of blood and elimination of waste products through excretion. A kidney measures roughly the size of a computer mouse and, amazingly, if just 75% of a single kidney is functional, it can support life!

Among organ transplants, the kidney transplant is very common. You can easily donate one of your kidneys without putting your life at risk. Known as the muscular hydrostat, tongue is the only muscle in the body that works without the support of skeleton. There can be as many as 10,000 taste buds found in your mouth, the majority of which are found on tongue and the remainder on lips, roof of mouth and cheeks. The total number of tiny air sacks, called alveoli, can be up to 500 million in both the lungs. Did you know that your fingertips are more sensitive than eyes as they contain a large number of receptors to send messages to the brain? The nails present on your fingers and toes are, in fact, the modification of hair. The hydrochloric acid secreted inside the stomach is powerful enough to kill the germs that enter with food, thus acting as the first line of defense for the immune system. The small intestine measures around six meters in length and it assimilates approximately ninety percent of food that you eat. Though an important organ of the human body, the removal of stomach does not pose threat to one’s life. People have already survived and can live without it.

In the average life span of a human being, the large intestine processes approximately fifty tons of food. Put it in another way, a person consumes around 50 tons of food in the entire life. Just like stomach, it can be removed completely without posing a threat to the life of the individual. Until the 19th century, people knew nothing about the real function of the little rubbery organ, called pancreas. Owing to its rubbery nature, the medical experts have been considering pancreas merely a shock absorber with no other significant role in the body. When the pancreatic hormones are released into the blood stream, it is termed as endocrine secretion. On the other hand, the process of emptying pancreatic juice into the duodenum of small intestine is called exocrine secretion. The thoracic cage is made up of twelve uniquely curved bones, having head, neck and shaft, that collectively serve to give shape to upper part of your body as well as protection to the vital body organs. While running, you make use of all the leg muscles, so it is regarded as the best exercise for legs. The development of eyes starts as early as just two weeks after the conception.

Did you know that your eye is so complex that it has over two million working parts in it? Copyrights Reserves 2013-2016 by OrgansOfTheBody.com Diaphragm (Human Thorax) Location, Anatomy, Function and Position | Healthhype.com Home » Current Health Articles » Diaphragm (Human Thorax) Location, Anatomy, Function and Position Diaphragm (Human Thorax) Location, Anatomy, Function and Position Tweet The Human Diaphragm The word ‘diaphragm’ is used to describe several structures in the human body and in particular the thoracic, urogenital and pelvic diaphragms. The most important and largest of these structures is the thoracic diaphragm. It is a flat sheet of muscle that is responsible for breathing. The diaphragm essentially pulls and pushes against the lung causing it to expand with inhalation and contract with exhalation. The thoracic diaphragm also separates the organs in the thoracic cavity (chest) and abdominal (belly). By separating these cavities, the important organs like the lungs and heart can function properly in its own compartments.

Some organs like the large blood vessels and esophagus (food pipe) pass across the diaphragm between the chest and belly through different openings. In this way the chest and abdomen can communicate with each other only at certain points. Anatomy of the Diaphragm The thoracic diaphragm is essentially a large muscle. Like all muscles, it has tendons that attach to the muscles and secure it. The diaphragm is attached to the inside of the ribs, to the back of the breastbone and the spine. The muscle fibers then meet in the middle of the diaphragm at the central tendon. Unlike other muscle tendons, the central tendon does not attach to any bone. Arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the diaphragm includes the phrenic arteries from aorta and internal thoracic arteries. Veins drain oxygen-deficient blood from the diaphragm through the phrenic arteries that drain into the suprarenal veins and inferior vena cava. Lymph is emptied from the diaphragm to the diaphragmatic lymph nodes and superior lumbar lymph nodes.

Nerves that control the muscle action of the diaphragm are the phrenic nerves (C3 to C5) and sensation is through the phrenic, intercostal (T5 to T11) and subcostal (T12) nerves. Picture from Wikimedia Commons Shape of the diaphragm The diaphragm is dome-shaped. The middle part of this dome is depressed just where the heart and its compartment, the mediastinum, are located. This makes the diaphragm a double dome, one on either side. It is the middle of these two side domes that move during respiration (breathing). During inhalation, the muscles contract and the diaphragm becomes almost flat. When the muscles of the diaphragm relax again it rises upwards to once again form the flat-topped dome shape. Parts of the diaphragm Top of the diaphragm (superior surface) is convex and protrudes into the thoracic cavity. Bottom of the diaphragm (inferior surface) is concave and faces the abdominal cavity. Front of the diaphragm (middle part) is known as the sternal part.

It attaches to the back of the breastbone (xiphoid process of the sternum). Back of the diaphragm (middle part) is the lumbar part. It communicates with the first three lumbar vertebrae. Sides of the diaphragm are the remaining parts, excluding the sternal and costal parts, which attach to the back of the last six ribs and its costal cartilages. There are two bands known as crura (singular ~ crus) that arise from the lumbar vertebrae. There is the right crus and left crus. It runs through to continue into the central tendon and its surrounding muscle fibers. The right and left crus twist along its course to create two openings – one for the aorta and the other for the esophagus. Openings in the diaphragm There are several openings in the diaphragm also known as an aperture or hiatus, in the diaphragm. This allows for different structures and organs to run between the thoracic and abdominal cavity since the diaphragm separates these two cavities. There are three large openings and several smaller ones. From front to back is the caval opening, esophageal hiatus and aortic hiatus.

Caval opening lies at the level of T8 and T9 vertebrae, slightly to the right of the midline of the diaphragm. The inferior vena cava runs through it, carrying oxygen-deficient blood to the heart. The right phrenic nerve and lymph vessels to the liver also pass through it. Esophageal hiatus is approximately at the level of the T10 vertebra. The esophagus (food pipe) runs through it allowing food from the throat to reach the stomach. The vagal trunks and a few blood and lymphatic vessels also pass through this opening. Aortic hiatus lies approximately at the level of the T12 vertebra. The aorta runs through it carrying oxygen-rich blood to the lower parts of the body. After passing through this opening, the aorta which was known as the thoracic aorta is now referred to as the abdominal aorta. Picture from Wikimedia Commons Functions of the Diaphragm Breathing The main function of the diaphragm is as a muscle of respiration, meaning that it aids with breathing. It is aided by other muscles and accessory muscles of breathing when a person experiences shortness of breath .

When the diaphragm contracts, the lungs expand and air is inhaled. This occurs because it creates negative pressure within the pleural cavity around the lungs and the elasticity of the lungs allows it to expand thereby drawing in air. When the diaphragm relaxes, it restores the pressure in the pleural cavity and the lungs recoil thereby pushing out air (exhalation). Sudden and repeat contractions of the diaphragm, which are involuntary, leads to hiccups . Compartmentalization The diaphragm also separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. This allows the heart and lungs to function in its own environment where it can maintain the relative pressure needed for its activity. It also prevents tightly packed abdominal cavity organs from making contact with the important thoracic structures – heart and lungs. Blood Flow Ask a Doctor Online Now! When the diaphragm contracts, it pushes down the organs in the abdominal cavity. This action squeezes blood in the inferior vena cava thereby pushing the blood up towards the heart. It is further assisted by the decrease in the pressure within the thoracic cavity as the diaphragm flattens.

Diaphragm Location The diaphragm is located at the junction of the thoracic and abdominal cavities about halfway down the chest behind the breasts. It has several organs lying immediately above and below it, with a few running through its openings and some even piercing it. Picture from Wikimedia Commons Position of the diaphragm The position of the upper parts (dome) of the diaphragm changes with breathing. The periphery of the diaphragm is firmly attached to the breastbone, ribs and vertebrae and its position does not change. Periphery of the diaphragm originates at the level of the 11th and 12th ribs. Center of the diaphragm reaches as high as the 5th rib during expiration. It is important to remember that the center of the diaphragm is pushed downwards when exhaling. It does not flatten entirely so it does not reach as low as the periphery. Fluid, a mass or other causes of raised pressure in the thoracic or abdominal cavity can push the middle of the diaphragm higher or lower. The liver sitting just under the right diaphragm causes it to be slightly higher than the left diaphragm. Read more on the .

Organs around the diaphragm The main organs and structures around the diaphragm are as follows : Above the diaphragm lies the two lungs on either side and the mediastinum housing the heart at the middle. Below the diaphragm is the liver (right), pancreas (around the middle extending to the right), stomach (more towards the left), spleen (left) and kidneys (right and left sides). Front and around the diaphragm lies the breastbone and ribs. Back of the diaphragm lies the vertebral column. Human Liver Anatomy - What is Liver and Where is it Located? Human Liver Anatomy - What is Liver and Where is it Located? What is Liver Definition? Do you know the secrets about the human liver anatomy? Let’s learn it here. Skin is the largest organ. Whereas, liver is the largest internal organ and the largest gland in the human body. You may wonder "What is liver?" and what a purpose it serves. Precisely, it is one of the most fantastic organs of your body . Being a glandular structure, it is a group of cells or tissues that secrete or excrete certain substances. However, these secretions have to do their job elsewhere in the body.

The largest gland, liver also enjoys the distinction of being the hottest organ in your body. What Does the Liver Do? The answer to “What does the liver do?” contains some interesting information. The human liver is, actually, a gland. There is broad classification of glands into two major groups i.e. endocrine and exocrine glands. Interestingly, liver belongs to both of these categories. That is, it serves as both an endocrine gland as well as an exocrine gland. A normal liver weighs about 1.2 to 1.5 kg and performs both endocrine and exocrine functions. Studying the human liver anatomy, you will also come to know about its size. Keep on reading this article about the human liver anatomy. Here, you will get useful and interesting information about the liver size, location, function, diseases and risk factors for liver disease. The Human Liver Size: The human liver size varies across gender. That is, it is bigger in size in male as compared with the one in females. The size of this gland is around 10.5 centimeters for men and about 7 centimeters for women. In the similar way, the weight of this organ is also different in different genders.

The Human Liver Anatomy: Understanding the human liver anatomy helps you understand its functions. When you view liver from the above side, it seems to contain two lobes. On the other hand, viewing it from underside, reveals that there are four lobes of the liver. Anyhow, the left lobe is smaller while the right lobe is larger. Going deeper into the human liver anatomy, you will find that the transverse fissure of the liver divides its left lobe into four lobes. Turning to its surface, a thin double-layered membrane makes a covering around it. You call this covering the peritoneum. It is this peritoneum which minimizes friction of the liver against other organs. Liver Location The largest internal organ, liver appears in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. It lies just beneath the right side of the diaphragm and under the right lower rib cage. Concerning human liver anatomy, there are eight functional segments in it. Within a minute, approximately 1500 ml of blood flows through the liver. This is so to ensure its efficient working. Partly due to its ample blood supply, liver is the prime site for metastatic spread of cancer.

Main Function of Liver This glandular structure, in the abdomen, has potential to perform a number of functions. All these functions are of special importance for the body. One of its primary jobs is to purify the body from different harmful substances, for example, toxins. On the other hand, as a gland, it secretes chemicals in the form of bile. Bile contains salts that neutralize the acidic food coming from stomach. Meanwhile, the bile juice also helps in the digestion of fats. In the presence of bile salts, the fatty substances break down into smaller, simpler pieces. Afterwards, these small particles move into the blood across the wall of small intestine. Some other important liver functions are listed below: Conversion of Ammonia to Urea: It converts a more harmful substance ammonia to less harmful compound urea. Destruction of Old RBCs: The body should get rid of the old red blood cells that are of no use anymore. Liver performs the job of destroying the old RBCs. After that, it becomes easy for the body to remove them. Storage of Sugar: While studying human liver anatomy, you’ll find that it contains glycogen, which is a non-functional form of sugar.

So, it is an important function of this organ to convert sugar in its non-functional form and store it. Restoration of Glucose Level: When there is a decline in the blood glucose level, the stored sugar is converted into functional sugar. Storage of Vitamins and Iron: The human liver also acts as a storehouse for some vitamins and iron. Regenerative Capacity of Liver The study of human liver anatomy also lets you know about the regenerative capacity of this organ. The majority of cells in the liver are hepatocytes. While, the remaining cell types are Kupffer cells, stellate cells, endothelial cells and bile ductular cells. This vital organ is helpful to almost every other organ in the body in one or the other way. When there is the loss of functional cells or hepatocytes, the growth factors and cytokines, etc. induce proliferation of the remaining liver cells. This is the very reason that when you surgically remove some part of the liver or it suffers from some damage due to any other injury, the remaining hepatocytes can trigger regeneration. Thus, you can expect the complete recovery from the injury. Signs of Liver Disease Jaundice is the hallmark sign of liver disease.

At the same time, it may be the most reliable marker of the severity of the disease. Typical symptoms of liver disease include: Icterus (jaundice) Discomfort or pain in the right upper abdomen Intestinal bleeding Abdominal distention Many patients may not have the above symptoms. But, the biochemical liver tests will help to confirm the disease. Risk Factors for Liver Disease You have come to know about the human live anatomy and the variety of great jobs that the organ performs. By now, you must have realized how important it is to keep this organ hale and hearty. If anything happens to it, there would be disturbance in a number of vital functions. So, it would be wise to take special care of liver while it is in normal working condition. And you can do it by eliminating the risk factors for liver disease . Here follows a brief description about some of the common risk factors. Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol is the leading cause of liver disease in many parts of the world. Next comes the turn of hepatitis C and B virus infection. More than two drinks per day in women and more than three drinks per day in men can increase the risk of alcoholic liver disease.

Recreational Drug Use: Everything that the nature has created has some benefits. But, its excessive use can prove to be problematic. Smoking, recreational use of marijuana and snorting cocaine are potential risk factors for liver disease. Hyperlipidemia: The levels of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood may get abnormally high. This is the condition of hyperlipidemia. Such a condition increases the possibility for liver to suffer from a disease. Genetic Diseases: There are individuals who have a family history of cirrhosis, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, diabetes or endocrine failure. This may also serve as risk factors for the liver disease. Viral Hepatitis: Intimate or occupational contact with individuals with viral hepatitis can be the cause of hepatic disorders. Exposure to Affected Blood: Accidental exposure to blood of a victim will make you susceptible to the same condition. Recent Surgery: Sometimes, after surgical operations, the process of healing may go bad. In turn, this will affect the functioning of liver. So, after recent surgery, you should take special care of this organ. Transfusion with Blood: Blood transfusion is the process of putting new blood into the body of an individual.

The reason for getting blood transfusion is that the recipient’s body is unable to synthesize sufficient quality or quantity of the blood. On the other hand, such an act is likely to increase the risk of liver disease. Sexual Contact: Sometimes, a healthy person makes sexual contact with patients of viral hepatitis. Consequently, they are very likely to get affected by the same abnormality. Summing up, if you want to enjoy the perfect health, take special care of the liver. It has a lot of jobs to perform in your body. Any liver disease would render it unable to accomplish the essential tasks. As a result, there would be disturbance in many of your body’s mechanisms. You need to control the risk factors for liver disease. In this way, there will be less chances of the liver disease. What organ is under the right ribcage? | Reference.com What organ is under the right ribcage? A: Quick Answer The liver is a triangular shaped organ that extends across the entire abdominal cavity just below the diaphragm, explains InnerBody. The majority of the liver's mass is located on the right side of the abdominal cavity, protected by the lower ribs of the rib cage.

Full Answer According to InnerBody, the liver performs vital functions relating to digestion, metabolism, immunity and nutrient storage. The liver is distinctly separated into a right and left lobe, with the right lobe being the largest. The gallbladder is positioned under the right lobe of the liver, and it acts as a storage organ to hold and secrete bile that is produced by the liver. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that releases bile into the small intestines to aid in digestion. A List of Vital Organs in the Human Body: 10 Essential Organs List of 10 Essential Organs of the Human Body written by: Janelle Martel • edited by: Sarah Malburg • updated: 3/17/2015 Find all the information you need about the organs of the human body all in one place. Review this helpful list when studying for a science test. You'll also find links to interactive sites for practice! slide 1 of 12 There are more than 22 organs in the human body. This is a list of the ten most vital organs which is usually taught about in elementary school.

You will learn about the organ's job or function, as well as some interesting facts! slide 2 of 12 Skin The skin is the largest organ in the human body. Its main job is to maintain the body's temperature, which means that sweat is created to cool the body, and goosebumps or raised hair occur to trap heat in the body. Along with sweat glands, the skin contains oil glands. The oil your skin releases helps to keep your skin from drying out and your hair from becoming brittle. The skin also regularly sheds cells to maintain its effectiveness. If you can imagine, there are about 19 million skin cells in every square inch of the human body! slide 3 of 12 Brain The brain is the controller of your body, and stores information, allows you to think and learn, as well as controls vital daily functions, like digestion, heart rate, and breathing. The brain receives impulses from your nerves, which are located throughout your body and respond to pain and other stimulation. Even though the brain is so important, it is also very delicate. The brain is made of soft tissue and is protected only by the skull, which is why head injuries can be so serious. The average adult brain weighs 3 pounds.

slide 4 of 12 Heart The heart is another vital organ. The heart's job is to pump oxygenated blood throughout your body and receive deoxygenated blood back in return. Without your heart, your other organs would not receive oxygen or have carbon dioxide removed. In an average lifetime, the heart beats more than 2.5 million times! slide 5 of 12 Kidneys The kidneys are located under the ribcage in your lower back. The job of the kidneys is to filter things like water and salts out of your blood and to produce urine. The kidneys also produce an enzyme called renin. This enzyme plays a big role in regulating your blood pressure. Did you know that a healthy person is able to live with only kidney? slide 6 of 12 Liver The liver is located in the upper abdomen, slightly more to the left side. The main job of the liver is to produce bile, which it sends to the stomach for digestion. The liver also filters out toxins and regulates blood sugar. Blood sugar is regulated because the liver converts sugars and stores them, releasing them when more sugar is needed in the blood. The liver is also in charge of releasing cholesterol, breaking down fats, and producing blood proteins.

It is the largest internal organ! slide 7 of 12 Pancreas The pancreas is located in the abdomen, behind the stomach. The job of the pancreas is to produce enzymes necessary for digestion and send them to the stomach. The pancreas also regulates blood sugar and does this through its process of creating insulin. The pancreas also creates glucagon which has the opposite effect of insulin and also helps to maintain blood sugar levels. slide 8 of 12 Stomach The stomach receives food from the esophagus and sends it into the small intenstine. The stomach's role in digestion is to break down food and mix it with digestive juices or enzymes. slide 9 of 12 Small Intenstine The job of the small intenstine is to digest food. It does this using chemicals, such as emzymes. The small intenstine also absorbs nutrients from the food through villi and gives these nutrients to your blood. The small intenstine is 5 meters long! The food moves from your small intenstine to your large intenstine with a series of muscle contractions.

slide 10 of 12 Large Intestine The large intenstine is located in your abdomen and is 1.5 meters in length! The large intenstine is involved in digestion, and receives undigested food from the small intenstine. The large intenstine then absorbs as much water as possible and then expels the waste and any excess fiber. slide 11 of 12 Lungs The lungs are located in your chest and are protected by your rib cage. The lungs take in oxygen which goes into the blood through the heart, and expels carbon dioxide as the heart receives unoxygenated blood. slide 12 of 12 Websites for Practice There are lots of great websites on the Internet to help increase your understanding of the body's organs, as well as help you to practice learning and remembering them. These are my favorites: BBC Science Interactive Body : This game is like a giant jigsaw puzzle of the organs in the human body. It has a list of organs in the human body which you click on and drag it to the right place in the body, rotating if necessary. There are also a number of interesting facts for each organ. All Systems Go!

: This game is a puzzle as well. A picture of a character named Arnold is shown, along with his missing organs. You have to place the organs back in his body in the correct place. If you put an organ in the wrong place, all of the organs fall out of his body and you have to start again! This list of organs in the human body and these practice sites will help you learn how your body works and help you ace your test at the same time. ◄ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ► Liver – Anatomy and Function of the Human Liver Sinusoids and Bile Canaliculi Full Liver Description [Continued from above] . . . of growing as quickly as a cancerous tumor to restore its normal size and function. Anatomy of the Liver Gross Anatomy The liver is a roughly triangular organ that extends across the entire abdominal cavity just inferior to the diaphragm. Most of the liver’s mass is located on the right side of the body where it descends inferiorly toward the right kidney . The liver is made of very soft, pinkish-brown tissues encapsulated by a connective tissue capsule.

This capsule is further covered and reinforced by the peritoneum of the abdominal cavity, which protects the liver and holds it in place within the abdomen. The peritoneum connects the liver in 4 locations: the coronary ligament, the left and right triangular ligaments, and the falciform ligament. These connections are not true ligaments in the anatomical sense; rather, they are condensed regions of peritoneal membrane that support the liver. The wide coronary ligament connects the central superior portion of the liver to the diaphragm. Located on the lateral borders of the left and right lobes, respectively, the left and right triangular ligaments connect the superior ends of the liver to the diaphragm. The falciform ligament runs inferiorly from the diaphragm across the anterior edge of the liver to its inferior border. At the inferior end of the liver, the falciform ligament forms the round ligament (ligamentum teres) of the liver and connects the liver to the umbilicus. The round ligament is a remnant of the umbilical vein that carries blood into the body during fetal development.

The liver consists of 4 distinct lobes – the left, right, caudate, and quadrate lobes. The left and right lobes are the largest lobes and are separated by the falciform ligament. The right lobe is about 5 to 6 times larger than the tapered left lobe. The small caudate lobe extends from the posterior side of the right lobe and wraps around the inferior vena cava. The small quadrate lobe is inferior to the caudate lobe and extends from the posterior side of the right lobe and wraps around the gallbladder. Bile Ducts The tubes that carry bile through the liver and gallbladder are known as bile ducts and form a branched structure known as the biliary tree. Bile produced by liver cells drains into microscopic canals known as bile canaliculi. The countless bile canaliculi join together into many larger bile ducts found throughout the liver. These bile ducts next join to form the larger left and right hepatic ducts , which carry bile from the left and right lobes of the liver. Those two hepatic ducts join to form the common hepatic duct that drains all bile away from the liver.

The common hepatic duct finally joins with the cystic duct from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct , carrying bile to the duodenum of the small intestine. Most of the bile produced by the liver is pushed back up the cystic duct by peristalsis to arrive in the gallbladder for storage, until it is needed for digestion. Blood Vessels The blood supply of the liver is unique among all organs of the body due to the hepatic portal vein system. Blood traveling to the spleen , stomach , pancreas , gallbladder, and intestines passes through capillaries in these organs and is collected into the hepatic portal vein . The hepatic portal vein then delivers this blood to the tissues of the liver where the contents of the blood are divided up into smaller vessels and processed before being passed on to the rest of the body. Blood leaving the tissues of the liver collects into the hepatic veins that lead to the vena cava and return to the heart . The liver also has its own system of arteries and arterioles that provide oxygenated blood to its tissues just like any other organ.

Lobules The internal structure of the liver is made of around 100,000 small hexagonal functional units known as lobules. Each lobule consists of a central vein surrounded by 6 hepatic portal veins and 6 hepatic arteries. These blood vessels are connected by many capillary-like tubes called sinusoids , which extend from the portal veins and arteries to meet the central vein like spokes on a wheel. Each sinusoid passes through liver tissue containing 2 main cell types: Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. Kupffer cells are a type of macrophage that capture and break down old, worn out red blood cells passing through the sinusoids. Hepatocytes are cuboidal epithelial cells that line the sinusoids and make up the majority of cells in the liver. Hepatocytes perform most of the liver’s functions – metabolism, storage, digestion, and bile production. Tiny bile collection vessels known as bile canaliculi run parallel to the sinusoids on the other side of the hepatocytes and drain into the bile ducts of the liver. Physiology of the Liver Digestion The liver plays an active role in the process of digestion through the production of bile.

Bile is a mixture of water, bile salts, cholesterol, and the pigment bilirubin. Hepatocytes in the liver produce bile, which then passes through the bile ducts to be stored in the gallbladder. When food containing fats reaches the duodenum , the cells of the duodenum release the hormone cholecystokinin to stimulate the gallbladder to release bile. Bile travels through the bile ducts and is released into the duodenum where it emulsifies large masses of fat. The emulsification of fats by bile turns the large clumps of fat into smaller pieces that have more surface area and are therefore easier for the body to digest. Bilirubin present in bile is a product of the liver’s digestion of worn out red blood cells. Kupffer cells in the liver catch and destroy old, worn out red blood cells and pass their components on to hepatocytes. Hepatocytes metabolize hemoglobin, the red oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells, into the components heme and globin. Globin protein is further broken down and used as an energy source for the body.

The iron-containing heme group cannot be recycled by the body and is converted into the pigment bilirubin and added to bile to be excreted from the body. Bilirubin gives bile its distinctive greenish color. Intestinal bacteria further convert bilirubin into the brown pigment stercobilin, which gives feces their brown color. Metabolism The hepatocytes of the liver are tasked with many of the important metabolic jobs that support the cells of the body. Because all of the blood leaving the digestive system passes through the hepatic portal vein, the liver is responsible for metabolizing carbohydrate, lipids, and proteins into biologically useful materials. Our digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into the monosaccharide glucose, which cells use as a primary energy source. Blood entering the liver through the hepatic portal vein is extremely rich in glucose from digested food. Hepatocytes absorb much of this glucose and store it as the macromolecule glycogen, a branched polysaccharide that allows the hepatocytes to pack away large amounts of glucose and quickly release glucose between meals.

The absorption and release of glucose by the hepatocytes helps to maintain homeostasis and protects the rest of the body from dangerous spikes and drops in the blood glucose level. (See more about glucose in the body .) Fatty acids in the blood passing through the liver are absorbed by hepatocytes and metabolized to produce energy in the form of ATP. Glycerol, another lipid component, is converted into glucose by hepatocytes through the process of gluconeogenesis. Hepatocytes can also produce lipids like cholesterol, phospholipids, and lipoproteins that are used by other cells throughout the body. Much of the cholesterol produced by hepatocytes gets excreted from the body as a component of bile. Dietary proteins are broken down into their component amino acids by the digestive system before being passed on to the hepatic portal vein. Amino acids entering the liver require metabolic processing before they can be used as an energy source. Hepatocytes first remove the amine groups of the amino acids and convert them into ammonia and eventually urea. Urea is less toxic than ammonia and can be excreted in urine as a waste product of digestion.

The remaining parts of the amino acids can be broken down into ATP or converted into new glucose molecules through the process of gluconeogenesis. Detoxification As blood from the digestive organs passes through the hepatic portal circulation, the hepatocytes of the liver monitor the contents of the blood and remove many potentially toxic substances before they can reach the rest of the body. Enzymes in hepatocytes metabolize many of these toxins such as alcohol and drugs into their inactive metabolites. And in order to keep hormone levels within homeostatic limits, the liver also metabolizes and removes from circulation hormones produced by the body’s own glands. Storage The liver provides storage of many essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals obtained from blood passing through the hepatic portal system. Glucose is transported into hepatocytes under the influence of the hormone insulin and stored as the polysaccharide glycogen. Hepatocytes also absorb and store fatty acids from digested triglycerides. The storage of these nutrients allows the liver to maintain the homeostasis of blood glucose.

Our liver also stores vitamins and minerals - such as vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, and the minerals iron and copper - in order to provide a constant supply of these essential substances to the tissues of the body. Production The liver is responsible for the production of several vital protein components of blood plasma: prothrombin, fibrinogen, and albumins. Prothrombin and fibrinogen proteins are coagulation factors involved in the formation of blood clots. Albumins are proteins that maintain the isotonic environment of the blood so that cells of the body do not gain or lose water in the presence of body fluids. Immunity The liver functions as an organ of the immune system through the function of the Kupffer cells that line the sinusoids. Kupffer cells are a type of fixed macrophage that form part of the mononuclear phagocyte system along with macrophages in the spleen and lymph nodes . Kupffer cells play an important role by capturing and digesting bacteria, fungi, parasites, worn-out blood cells, and cellular debris. The large volume of blood passing through the hepatic portal system and the liver allows Kupffer cells to clean large volumes of blood very quickly.

Prepared by Tim Taylor, Anatomy and Physiology Instructor Solid Organ Resection | Laparoscopic Surgery | MUSC DDC Solid Organ Resection For more information about solid organ resection at MUSC, call: Mary Johnson, RN johnsome@musc.edu What are solid organs? The organs in the abdomen perform a number of functions, but digestion plays a major part. Organs that pass food are by definition hollow, thus are not deemed to be solid organs. From the mouth to the anus is a large system of hollow organs that in some way modify the food you eat into elements that sustain the body. Some of these organs include the esophagus , stomach , small intestine (or small bowel), colon and rectum. But along the way, there are other organs that secrete juices that operate on the food we eat, as well as control the amount and distribution of the types of food and water that are necessary for the human body to survive. These organs —the liver , pancreas , spleen and adrenal glands— are not hollow and thus are referred to as solid organs. Resection Using Laparoscopic Surgery Laparoscopic surgery , which has eliminated the need for large incisions, facilitates the resection (or removal) of solid organs.

It has revolutionized the way surgeons approach many general surgical problems. Although laparoscopic techniques cannot be used for every procedure or for every patient, they certainly have developed an increasing role. Laparoscopic procedures have greatly enhanced a surgeon's ability to perform a surgery (such as solid organ resection) with minimal pain and a more rapid recovery for the patient. This is one example of a general move towards "minimally invasive therapy", reducing the burdens of treatment. The ultimate goal would be to treat all conditions externally, without the need for any invasive, or open, procedures. What is the Liver? Located in the upper, right-hand portion of the abdomen up under the rib cage, the liver is the second-largest organ in the body. A very complex and dynamic organ, the liver manages clotting factors in the blood, cleanses the blood of toxins, controls numerous enzymes and proteins, controls cholesterol levels, and produces bile to aid in the digestion of food. Unlike most organs, the liver can regenerate lost tissue, and this fact has had an enormous impact on the field of liver transplantation. What is the Pancreas?

The pancreas is a gland about the same size and shape as a small banana, found in the upper abdomen partially behind the stomach, near the spine. When food enters the stomach, specific cells in the pancreas release pancreatic enzymes (or juices) into a system of small ducts that ultimately lead into the first portion of the small intestine called the duodenum. As food empties from the stomach, these juices aid in its digestion. Another function of the pancreas involves the production of two hormones, insulin and glucagon, which work together to regulate proper blood sugar levels in the body. What is the Spleen? The spleen is a small organ (not involved in the digestive process) that lies in the left side of the abdomen partially hidden behind the stomach and lower ribcage. Its primary function is to filter blood by removing old blood cells and recycling iron. In addition, the spleen synthesizes white blood cells that aid in the repairing of damaged tissues and also holds a reserve of red blood cells in the event of a dramatic loss of blood. What are Adrenal Glands?

Adrenal glands, also not involved in the digestion of food, are located at the top of the kidneys and release hormones in response to stress, as well as affect kidney functions through secretions. One of the major hormones made by the adrenal gland is cortisol, too much of which can cause symptoms of weight gain, elevated blood sugars, menstrual irregularities, increased thirst, higher blood pressure and even more frequent infections. Low cortisol symptoms can include sugar or salt cravings, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, skin rashes, allergies, depression and anxiety. Both high or low levels of cortizol can also result in poor sleep and fatigue symptoms. Give Us a Call A Quick View of Organs on the Right Side of the Human Body Follow Us A Quick View of Organs on the Right Side of the Human Body While a few organs are located in the near central plane, the position of most organs is either to the left or right side of the body. Wondering about the different organs on the right side of the human body? Refer to this article to understand the right oriented human organs and their functions.

Advertisement When we take a glance at the external features of human beings, it appears quite symmetrical; the head in the top center with its associated parts, including two hands and two legs on either side. Nevertheless, if you study the internal organs, you will agree to the point that the human body is not symmetrical at all. An organ is made up of a group of cells that coordinate to perform a specific bodily function. Together, various organs make up an organ system, for example - the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and excretory system. Coming to the point of discussion, specific organs are present on the left and right side of the body, while some are located in the center, sharing both the orientations. This article highlights the organs present on the right side of the body. When you check for organs on the right side of the body, you will find that some of these functional units are positioned in the center. For a simple understanding, let's take the example of the nose and mouth. These two vital organs are situated in the central plane that divides the body into two equal parts. So the nose and mouth are neither oriented to the left, nor to the right side of the body.

Rather, we can say half of the organ is in the left and the other half in the right side. The following is a list of organs located specifically on the right side of the body. Skin Being the largest organ of the human body, the skin is equally distributed on the left side and right side of the human body. The skin performs its function in the protection and elimination of waste products from the body, particularly by means of sweating or perspiration. Thus, the skin is an important organ in defending the body from harmful substances, and the excretory system. Right Brain Take a look at the brain's anatomy and parts of the brain, and you will find that the right hemisphere is responsible for controlling certain functions, mostly pertaining to creative thinking, imagination, and perception of audio and visual stimuli. Right Eye Be it the right side or the left, the human eye is a visual organ that allows us to see things around us. It works in coordination with the brain to receive light waves, converting them into a clear picture that we see as the final product. The shape of the human eye is nearly round, which is retained by the aqueous humor. Right Ear Needless to say, the right ear is located on the right side of the human body.

It absorbs sound waves from the surrounding environment and transfers them to the brain, which are then perceived by us in the form of sound. There are different parts of the human ear, which work in sync for the purpose of hearing. Right Lung The right lung is smaller (height wise) than the left by about 5 cm. But it is larger and has more volume than the left lung. Anatomically, the right lung has three unequal sized lobes, namely, superior, middle, and inferior. Besides respiration, the lungs play an important role in protecting the heart and regulating blood pH levels. Right Kidney Kidneys are paired bean-shaped organs, located on either side of the spine. They are the primary organs of the urinary system. Before excreting body waste as urine, the kidneys absorb essential nutrients and electrolytes. Thus, the right and left kidneys are also important for electrolyte balancing and nutrient re-absorption. Liver One of the internal organs on right side of body is the liver, which is also the largest glandular organ. It is reddish-brown in color and located underneath the diaphragm. Anatomically, the liver is divided into four unequal lobes.

The main functions of this glandular organ are the secretion of enzymes for the digestion of fat, and maintenance of blood glucose levels. Gallbladder Another right side organ of the human body is the gallbladder, a small organ that stores the bile that is secreted by the liver. It is divided into three different parts, viz. fundus, body, and neck. The gallbladder helps in the overall process of digestion, but there are no adverse effects even if it is removed from the body. Small Intestine Nearly half of the small intestine is present on the right side of the human body. The duodenum is not actually an organ, but a part of the small intestine, which is oriented towards the right side. Over here, the digestive juices secreted by the pancreas and the liver are mixed together for food digestion. Ascending Colon The right colon consists of the cecum, ascending colon, hepatic flexure, and transverse colon. The ascending colon makes up the first section of the large intestine, which connects to the small intestine through the cecum.

The colon's function is to expel water and waste matter from the body, where it travels towards the transverse colon, by a process called peristalsis. Appendix The appendix is a small pouch shaped organ (about 10 cm in length), situated between the small intestine and the large intestine. It is preceded by the cecum and has no distinctive functions. Reproductive Organs The reproductive organs consist of the right testis for males, and the right ovary for women. Thus, half of the reproductive organs are present in the left, while the remaining half is oriented towards the right side. They perform the function of producing gametes, which after fertilization give birth to offspring. Irrespective of the orientation, all the organs present either on the left or right side, work in coordination for normal functioning of the body. Ningthoujam Sandhyarani Diaphragm Diaphragm Human Anatomy » Body Systems » Muscular System » Diaphragm Diaphragm is a muscular and tendinous sheath that closes the opening between thorax and abdomen and is pierced by structures that pass between these two regions of the body. The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration.

It is dome shaped and consists of a peripheral muscular part and central tendinous part. The muscular part arises from the margins of the thoracic opening and gets inserted into the central tendon. diaphragm Origin of diaphragm: The origin of the diaphragm can be divided into three parts. Sternal part: It consists of small left and right strips that arise prom the posterior surface of the xiphoid process. Costal part: It consists of six slips that arise from the lower six ribs (rib 7 to rib 12) and their costal cartilages. Vertebral part: It arises by means of vertical columns, also known as crura, and from the arcuate ligaments. Crura: The right crus arises from the bodies of first three lumbar vertebrae and their intervertebral discs. The left crus, on the other hand, arises from the bodies of first two lumbar vertebrae. From arcuate ligaments: Lateral to the crura on both sides, the diaphragm arises from the medial and lateral arcuate ligaments.

Medial arcuate ligament is thickened upper margin of fascia that covers the psoas muscle on it anterior surface and the lateral arcuate ligament is thickened upper margin of the fascia covering the quadratus lumborum muscle. The medial arcuate ligament is extended from the side of the body of first lumber vertebra to the tip of the transverse process of second lumber vertebra. The lateral arcuate ligament, in contrast to the medial, extends from the tip of the transverse process of first lumbar vertebra and is inserted into the lower border of the 12th rib. Insertion of diaphragm: The diaphragm is inserted into the central tendon that is shaped like three leaves. On the superior side, the surface of the tendon is partially fused with the pericardium. Shape of diaphragm: diaphragm position In anatomic position, the diaphragm curves into right and left domes (also known as cupolae). The right dome is slightly higher than the left dome and reaches as high as the upper border of the fifth rib. The left dome may reach up to the lower border of the fifth rib.

The reason behind the right dome being higher than the left one is probably the larger size of the right lobe of liver. The central tendon, which lies between the two domes, remains at the level of xiphisternal joint. The domes of diaphragm support the right and left lungs while the central tendon provides support to heart. The position and shape of diaphragm is not absolute but vary with the phase of respiration. During inspiration, the diaphragm lies at a lower level and during expiration, it rises to a higher level. The position also depends upon the posture of body (lower when a person is sitting or standing and higher in supine position) and degree of distention of the abdominal viscera. Openings in the diaphragm: All the structures that pass from the thorax into the abdomen or rise from abdomen into the thorax pass through the diaphragm. For this reason, diaphragm contains numerous openings. Besides many small openings, there are three major ones as described below. Aortic opening: This opening transmits aorta, thoracic duct and azygous vein and lies anterior to the body of 12th thoracic vertebra between the crura.

Esophageal opening: It transmits esophagus, left and right vagus nerves, esophageal branches of the left gastric vessels and lymphatics from lower third of the esophagus. It lies at the level of 12th thoracic vertebra in a sling of muscle fibers derived from the right crus. Caval opening: It transmits the inferior vena cava and terminal branches of right phrenic nerve. It lies at the level of 8th thoracic vertebra. Other minor openings: Besides the three major openings, the diaphragm contains numerous small openings for various structures. Some of the structures that have their own small openings in the diaphragm are: Sympathetic trunk (pass posterior to the medial arcuate ligament on both sides) Superior epigastric vessels (pass between the sterna and costal origins of the diaphragm on each side) Left phrenic nerve (pierces the left dome of diaphragm) Neurovascular bundles of lower six intercostal spaces (pass between the muscular slips of costal origin of diaphragm) Action of diaphragm: Diaphragm is the primary respiratory muscle of the body.

It, on contraction, increases the vertical diameter of the chest cavity by pulling its central tendon downwards. In this way, the lungs get extra space to expand and air rushes into them. Nerve supply of diaphragm: The motor nerve supply of diaphragm is only from the phrenic nerve. The sensory supply of the central tendon of diaphragm that is covered by parietal and peritoneal pleura is from phrenic nerve. Sensory supply to the periphery of diaphragm is from lower six intercostal nerves. Functions of diaphragm: Muscle of inspiration: Diaphragm is the primary muscle of inspiration and holds the most important value for the overall process of exchange of gases. Muscle of abdominal straining: With the aid of a contracted diaphragm, muscles of the anterior abdominal wall can raise the intra-abdominal pressure to evacuate pelvic contents, which is important for micturition, defectaion and parturition. The role of diaphragm is further aided when the person takes a deep breath and closes the glottis of the larynx.

Consequently, the diaphragm is unable to rise because of the air trapped in the respiratory tract and the abdominal muscles can create increased abdominal pressure. During the process, whenever air escapes, a grunting sound is produced. Muscle of weight-lifting: By fixing the diaphragm in the same way as described above, it is possible to raise the intra-abdominal pressure to such an extent that it helps support the vertebral column and prevent flexion. This greatly assists postvertebral muscles in lifting of heavy weights. Thoraco-abdominal pump of blood flow: The descent of diaphragm into the abdomen decreases the intra-throacic pressure while increasing the intra-abdominal pressure at the same time. This pressure gradient causes the blood to flow upward into the heart. Lymph within the lymph vessels is also forced to move in a similar way. Share this page:

Question: What is the second largest organ in the human body, located under the diaphragm on the right hand side?
Answer: Liver