Although it would be impossible to survive without any organs, there are some organs in the human body that can be removed through surgery and still allow a person to live a relatively normal life. Some of these include the gallbladder, appendix, uterus, spleen, and one or both kidneys.
The removal of the gallbladder does not interfere with the digestion of food; however, some people may experience ongoing digestive issues after the surgery. The appendix is a vestigial organ, meaning it is no longer necessary for survival and it can be removed without consequence.
A hysterectomy can be performed to remove the uterus, and while it is widely accepted as a beneficial way to treat certain conditions, it causes a permanent end to the reproductive system. The removal of the spleen is a difficult decision, as it is an important organ for the body’s immune response, but it is sometimes necessary for those with immune-related diseases.
However, since a person only has one spleen, any conditions which require its removal can often be managed with other treatments. Lastly, although the removal of one or both kidneys is not advisable, with proper management and continued medical treatment, some people can live without one kidney without much difficulty.
Table of Contents
What are the 7 vital organs?
The seven vital organs that are essential for human survival are the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and intestine.
The brain is the center of the nervous system and the control center of the body. It interprets sensory information and processes thought, memory, and emotion.
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It includes four chambers; two superior atria (right and left) and two inferior ventricles (right and left). The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body and oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs.
The lungs both bring air into the body and expel air out of the body. They are made up of numerous smaller air sacs that exchange and provide oxygen to the blood.
The kidneys are a pair of organs located at the back of the abdomen. They filter waste products from the blood and produce urine. The kidneys also help regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance, control the body’s acid-base balance, and activate vitamin D so the body can utilize calcium.
The liver is a large organ located in the upper right abdomen. Its primary function is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, convert nutrients into substances that are easier for the body to use, and to produce bile, which helps the body break down fats in the small intestine.
The pancreas is an organ that produces several hormones, including insulin and glucagon, which help the body control the levels of glucose in the blood. It also produces digestive juices which help break down food.
The intestine is responsible for breaking down food so it can be absorbed into the body. It absorbs water and electrolytes and produces waste products which are eliminated from the body as feces.
Which part of the body dies last?
The answer to which part of the body dies last is the brain. Although a person may officially be pronounced dead when their heart stops beating, the brain technically continues to work for several seconds after.
Even after the lungs, heart, and other organs have stopped working, the brain can still be active and maintain certain functions, such as involuntary action, brain wave activity, and even reflexes. It can take several minutes for brain activity to stop entirely, and in some extreme situations, it can take up to several hours after other organs have stopped working.
Therefore, the brain is the last part of the body to die.
What part of the body Cannot feel pain?
The brain itself is the part of the body that cannot feel pain. This is because the brain lacks a direct connection to the peripheral nervous system, which is the network of nerves that sends signals from the body to the brain and vice versa.
While the brain does have neurons, it is not covered by the same nerves found on the rest of the body. As such, it does not have the same capacity to sense pain, which is the sensing of stimuli that are potentially damaging to the body.
What organ can repair themselves?
The liver is an organ that has the remarkable ability to repair and regenerate itself. Even after experiencing extensive damage, it can completely repair itself within a matter of months. It has the remarkable ability to repair itself due to the fact that it contains a reserve pool of stem cells.
This pool of stem cells is constantly activated in order to repair any damage done to the liver. The level of damage determines how long and complicated the process is, but the liver cells can replenish and heal themselves in the vast majority of cases.
The regenerative properties of the liver are so stunning that it can be surgically split and both sides can regenerate over time to become two full livers.
How many organs can grow back?
The ability to regrow organs is a fascinating and highly sought-after area of research. While some tissue regeneration has been documented in humans, such as skin and certain organs such as the liver, regrowing a fully functioning organ from a damaged or diseased one is more difficult.
Currently, humans have the capability to regrow a limited number of organs and tissue. For example, the liver can regenerate given enough time and the right conditions, and fingers, ears, and toes may also be regrown, along with blood vessels, cartilage and bone.
In addition, some animal species can regenerate entire organs such as starfish, and even parts of their brain that have been damaged. Scientists are using the regenerative power of animals to further study the possibility of regrowing a number of organs in humans.
What is the organ that keeps you alive?
The organ that keeps us alive is the heart. It is a muscular organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body and delivering oxygen and nutrients to all the cells. The heart is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, which is the balanced activity of systems, in the body.
The heart pumps a mix of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood to various organs and tissues as a sort of transportation system, moving toxins away from organs and tissues to be filtered and excreted from the body.
The heart is an incredibly complex and resilient organ, and its health is vital for overall wellbeing.
What organs are unnecessary?
Humans are capable of functioning normally without several organs that are commonly associated with the human body. For example, the appendix is a small organ located near the small intestine, and is known to sometimes cause discomfort when it becomes inflamed.
Despite this, its function has never been conclusively understood and removal of the appendix does not appear to have any ill effects on human health. Similarly, the gallbladder is an organ that stores bile and can sometimes cause health issues when it becomes blocked or inflamed.
The removal of the gallbladder has been shown to have no significant complications in most cases, indicating that although it has a role in digestion, it is far from an essential organ. Other organs that are often deemed unnecessary includes the tonsils and lymph nodes, which can be surgically removed without any long-term negative effects.
What organs are no longer needed?
Medical advances, and lifestyle changes. One example is the appendix, which has no known function and is prone to infection. Another is the tailbone, which is a remnant of our ancestors and has no real purpose in our current day lives.
Additionally, tonsils and adenoids can be safely removed in some individuals if they cause recurrent infections. The extra bones in the human foot (prior to fusion during childhood development) are also no longer needed.
Likewise, we used to have gill slits in our early development in the womb, which are no longer present in humans. Fewer and fewer people possess wisdom teeth as well, due to changes in diet and the human jaw to accommodate it.
Ultimately, many of us over the course of evolution have lost the organs and traits that were once necessary for survival.
Can you live without a kidney?
Living without a kidney is possible and is referred to as “renal failure”. People who suffer from renal failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Dialysis is a process which can artificially replace the kidney’s functions and allow the person to live without a kidney.
A kidney transplant usually provides a more successful long-term outcome.
To live without a kidney, one must monitor their fluid and nutritional intake as well as their electrolyte and metabolic conditions in order to remain healthy. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and keep medications, vitamins and mineral supplements regularly up to date.
In addition to dialysis, there are a number of treatments that can help people live with or without a kidney. These treatments include medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, and even a kidney transplant if necessary.
It is important to consult a healthcare professional to determine which treatment is best for you.
Living without a kidney is challenging, but with proper treatments, monitoring and lifestyle changes, it is possible to live a healthy life.
Can a human have 2 hearts?
No, a human cannot have two hearts. The human body is made up of many complex systems, organs, and structures that all work together to keep a person alive and healthy. While some animals, such as octopuses, can have more than one heart, humans only have one.
The human heart is made up of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. These four chambers work together to pump blood throughout the body, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the cells. While two hearts might sound beneficial, they can actually lead to complications, such as irregular heartbeats and insufficient blood circulation.
As a result, having two hearts is not a feasible option for humans.
What happens if there is no heart?
If there is no heart, the body is unable to perform one of its most important functions, which is to pump blood throughout the body. Without a functioning heart, blood will not be able to be transported to other vital organs, such as the brain, lungs, and kidneys.
This means that the body will be unable to get the necessary amounts of oxygen, nutrients, and waste removed from it, leading to the body quickly shutting down. In the moments following the lack of a heart, the body will experience an interruption in brain activity, organ failure, and eventually death.
Without a functioning heart, the body is unable to sustain life.
What happens to the human body without the heart?
Without the heart, the human body would be unable to function as the heart is essential for sustaining life. Specifically, it is responsible for pumping oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood throughout the body, providing vital organs and systems with the fuel and oxygen that they need to remain functional.
Without the heart, organs such as the brain, lungs, kidneys and liver would be deprived of the necessary oxygen and nutrients to remain viable and the body would begin to shut down. Furthermore, the heart is responsible for removing carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste products from the body.
Without the heart, these waste products would accumulate, leading to a rapid deterioration in the body’s ability to function properly. Ultimately, without a functioning heart, human life cannot be sustained and death will quickly follow.
