organ

(or′găn)

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[L. organum fr Gr. organon, tool, (musical) instrument, (bodily) organ]
A body structure made of several tissues that all contribute to specific functions. Many organs occur in pairs. In such pairs, one organ may be extirpated and the remaining one can perform all necessary functions peculiar to it. One third to two fifths of some organs may be removed without loss of function necessary to support life. SEE TABLE: Size, Weight, and Capacity of Various Organs and Parts of the Adult Body ♂ Male ♀ Female
Size, Weight, and Capacity of Various Organs and Parts of the Adult Body ♂ Male ♀ Female
DescriptionSizeWeightCapacity
Adrenal gland5 cm high5 g
3 cm across
1 cm thick
Bladder12 cm in diameter500 mL (when moderately full)
Blood volume♂ 4-6 L
♀ 3-5 L
Brain♂ 1240-1680 g
♀ 1130-1570 g
Ear, external canal2.5 cm long (from concha)
Esophagus23-25 cm
Eye23.5 mm vertical diameter
24 mm anteroposterior diameter
Fallopian tube10 cm
Gallbladder7-10 cm long30-50 mL
3 cm wide
Heart12 × 8-9 × 6 cm♂280-340 g
♀230-280 g
Intestines—smallVariable
6-7 m long
Intestines—large1.5 m long
Intestines—vermiform appendix2-20 cm long, average 9 cm
Intestines—rectum12 cm long
Kidney11 cm long♂ 150 g
6 cm broad♀ 135 g
3 cm thick
Larynx♂ 44 × 43 × 36 mm
♀ 36 × 41 × 26 mm
Liver♂ 1.4-1.8 kg6500 mL
♀ 1.0-2.5 kg
LungRight 625 g
Left 565 g
Ovaries3 × 1.5 × 1 cm2-3.5 g
Pancreas15 cm long♂ 74-106 g
♀ 70-100 g
Parathyroid6 × 3-4 × 1-2 mm50 mg
Pharynx12.5 cm long
Prostate2 × 4 × 3 cm8 g
SkeletonAverage adult male, 4957 g
SkullAverage (without teeth), 642 gVariable ♂ 406 mL ♀ 207 mL
Spinal cord42-45 cm long30 g
Spleen12 × 7 × 3-4 cm150 g
80-300 g
Decreases with age
StomachVariableVariable
25 cm long1500 mL
10 cm wide
Testes4-5 × 2.5 × 3 cm10.5-14 g
Thoracic duct38-45 cm long
ThymusNewborn, 10.9 g
10-15 yr, 29.5 g
20-25 yr, 18.6 g
ThyroidEach lobe 5 × 3 × 2 cm30 g total
Trachea11 cm long
2-2.5 cm in diameter
Ureter28-34 cm long
Urethra♂ 17.5-20 cm long
♀ 4 cm long
Uterus7.5 × 5.0 × 2.5 cm30-40 g (nonpregnant)
VaginaAnterior wall length 7.5 cm
Posterior wall length 9.0 cm

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