Organ Profiles
Heart
This organ is a muscular pump that circulates blood
carrying oxygen and nutrients to, and wastes from, the bodys cells.
The right side of the heart circulates blood to the lungs. The left side
circulates blood to the rest of the body and back to the heart.
Diseases and Disorders
- Cardiomyopathy is an abnormality of the heart muscle.
The cause is often unknown. Advanced cases may require a heart transplant.
- Congestive Heart Failure is a condition resulting
from heart disease such as coronary artery disease. The heart no longer
pumps enough blood to meet the bodys needs. A heart transplant
may be needed if medical treatments fail.
- Myocarditis is an inflammation of the muscle tissue
of the heart, often a complication of various infectious diseases. Severe
cases can result in heart failure and require a heart transplant.
- Congenital Heart Disease is the most common lethal
birth defect, and the most common indication for heart transplantation
in infants and young children.
Transplant Statistics
- Each year, about 2,000 heart transplants and fewer
than 50 heart-lung transplants are performed.
- In 2003, around 3,500 people were on the waiting
list for a heart transplant and about 200 were waiting for a heart-lung
transplant.
- In 2003, over 450 people died while waiting for a
heart transplant.
- About 85 percent of heart transplant recipients are
surviving one year after transplantation.
Interesting Fact
On average, a human heart beats about 2.5 billion times
in a persons lifetime.
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Lung
This pair of organs provides an environment for gas
exchange: Oxygen passes into the bloodstream through microscopic air sacs
in the lungs, while waste carbon dioxide passes out of the bloodstream
into the lungs. Breathing facilitates this exchange of gases.
Diseases and Disorders
A number of diseases and disorders lead to lung
transplants each year: cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary
fibrosis, emphysema, and pulmonary edema, among others. People with these
conditions usually must lead a very sedentary lifestyle. Many of these
conditions are life-threatening.
Transplant Statistics
- About 1,000 patients receive a lung transplant each
year.
- Each year, about 4,000 people are waiting for a lung
transplant.
- Over 400 people die each year while waiting for a
lung transplant.
- About 75 percent of lung transplant recipients survive
the first year.
- A single lung can save a life. One deceased donor
can be the source of two lung transplants.
Interesting Facts
Normal breathing rate at rest for an adult ranges from
15-25 breaths per minute. During
a 24-hour period, the average number of breaths taken by
a human is around 23,040.
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Intestine
The intestine is the part of the alimentary canal that extends from the
stomach to the anus. The first parta long, narrow, and convoluted
section is referred to as the small intestine. Its function is to complete
the digestion and absorption of digested nutrients into the bloodstream
and lymph. The second partthe large intestineis not usually
transplanted.
Diseases and Disorders
Intestine transplants are required when the intestine becomes twisted
and blocked or when there is irreversible intestinal failure. Most cases
of intestinal failure are caused by short-gut syndrome (a significant
loss of length of the small intestine present at birth or as a result
of surgical removal or trauma). People with intestinal failure must receive
nutrients intravenously. Because long-term intravenous feeding usually
causes liver damage, many people who require a small intestine transplant
also require a liver transplant at the same time.
Transplant Statistics
- Around 100 intestine transplants were performed in 2003.
- In 2003, over 150 patients were on the waiting list for an intestine
transplant.
- In 2003, about 40 people died while waiting for an intestine transplant.
- The one-year survival rate for intestine transplant recipients is
about 60 percent.
- The majority of intestinal transplants are performed in infants and
children.
Interesting Facts
While smaller in diameter than the large intestine, the small intestine
is much longerabout 7 meters to the large intestines 1.5 meters.
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Liver
This large organ destroys toxic substances in the body and breaks down
unwanted protein into the waste product urea. The liver stores some food
substances until the body needs them. It also produces a green liquidbilethat
is released into the intestine to help break down large fat droplets into
smaller fat droplets to prepare fat for chemical digestion.
Diseases and Disorders
- Birth defects of the liver or bile duct.
- Chronic liver infections, such as hepatitis (particularly B and C),
which severely damage the liver.
- Damage from alcohol and other drugs.
- Damage from blood clots in the liver.
- The skin of people with liver damage may turn yellow from a condition
called jaundice. They also may gain weight and experience general weakness.
Because the liver is involved in many metabolic processes, severe liver
damage is often fatal.
Transplant Statistics
- Around 5,000 people receive liver transplants each year.
- Each year, over 17,000 people are waiting to receive a liver transplant.
- Each year, about 2,000 people die while waiting for a liver.
- One year after the surgery, about 85 percent of liver transplant recipients
live fairly normal lives.
- A donated liver can be split between two recipients, so that one deceased
donor can be the source of two liver transplants.
Interesting Fact
More heat is produced by the liver than by any other organ in the body.
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Kidney
One of a pair of organs that control the amount of water in the body
and filter urea and other wastes into urine. The kidneys also produce
a hormone (erythropoietin) that controls the production of red blood cells.
Diseases and Disorders
- High blood pressure causes kidney damage, can lead to kidney failure,
and isas a resultan important predictor of kidney failure.
- Diabetes (see pancreas) is a leading cause of kidney failure.
- Other diseases (cystic kidney diseases) can cause the kidneys to become
inflamed or can produce cysts in the kidneys that prevent them from
functioning properly.
- People with severe kidney disease are often placed on dialysis machines
Transplant Statistics
- About 14,000 kidney transplants are performed each year. Just over
one third of transplanted kidneys are from living donors.
- At any point, about 55,000 people are on the waiting list for a kidney
transplant.
- Every year, over 3,000 people die while waiting for a kidney transplant.
- The one-year survival rate for kidney transplant recipients is about
95 percent.
Interesting Fact
After kidney transplants, most recipients have three kidneys because
their own kidneys are usually left in place.
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Pancreas
The pancreas produces two enzymesinsulin and glucagonthat
control the level of sugar in the blood. In addition, the pancreas produces
a mixture of enzymes, called pancreatic juice, which is released into
the small intestine to help digest starch, proteins, and fats.
Diseases and Disorders
- Malfunction or failure of the pancreas leads to diabetesan inability
to control the level of glucose in the blood.
- Individuals with this condition are called diabetics and may need
insulin to control the level of glucose in the blood. Diabetes can damage
or cause the failure of many of the bodys organs. Because patients
requiring a pancreas transplant often have kidney disease, the pancreas
and kidneys are sometimes transplanted together. Failure to treat diabetes
can lead to organ failure and death.
Transplant Statistics
- In 2003, over 450 people received a pancreas transplant.
- In 2003, about 1,500 people were on the waiting list for a pancreas.
- In 2003, about 30 people died while waiting for a pancreas transplant.
- One year after receiving a pancreas transplant, about 95 percent of
recipients are still living.
Interesting Fact
The pancreas has a tremendous reserve capacity for the production of
some enzymes. More than 95 percent of the function of the pancreas must
be lost before the pancreas fails and symptoms of bloating and poor digestion
occur.
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