The largest organ in the human body is the skin. It is considered an organ since it performs highly specific functions such as regulating body temperature. An organ is a structure composed of tissues that perform a specific function within an organism’s body.
The liver is the second-largest organ in the body and makes up about 2.5% of your body weight. The skin of an average adult accounts for 6% to 10% of your body weight. There are some other large internal organs in our body like the heart and brain In this article, we will cover the largest organ in the human body and some other large organs.
Table of Content
What is the Largest Organ in the Human Body?
The human skin is the largest and most visible organ in the body. The skin is considered an organ since it carries out unique, highly specialized functions including controlling body temperature and protecting other organs from infections. The skin of an average adult has a surface area of approximately 21 square feet. The kidney, spleen, pancreas, joints, skin, liver, brain, lungs, heart, and thyroid are the 10 largest organs in the human body.
Skin
The largest organ on the outside of the human body is the skin. With a fleshy surface covered in hair, nerves, glands, and nails, it is an essential organ. It serves as a barrier between the interior and exterior environments and covers your entire body. The thickness of human skin is around two millimetres, and its weight is approximately 10895.10 grams or approximately 16% of the total mass of the body.
Human Skin
Skin Function in Human Body
It is one of the main sense organs and is capable of feeling pain, pleasure, pressure, heat, and cold. The skin’s other purposes include:
- Protection: The skin acts as a barrier against external threats such as pathogens, UV radiation, and harmful chemicals, preventing them from entering the body.
- Regulation: It helps regulate body temperature by controlling heat loss through perspiration and blood vessel dilation or constriction.
- Sensation: The skin contains sensory receptors that detect touch, pressure, temperature, and pain, allowing us to perceive and respond to our environment.
- Immunity: Specialized cells in the skin play a role in the body’s immune response, defending against infections and promoting healing.
- Vitamin D Synthesis: The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.
- Excretion: Sweat glands in the skin excrete waste products such as urea and salts, helping maintain electrolyte balance and eliminate toxins from the body.
Also Read: What is Difference Between Gastritis and Pancreatitis?
What is the Largest Internal Organ in the Human Body?
The largest internal organ in the human body is the liver. The liver is a solid organ weighing about 1493.79 grams, or 3 to 3.5 pounds. Along with liver, there are many other large organs in human body which are discussed below:
Liver
The liver is located in the upper right portion of the abdomen and performs numerous vital functions. The human liver is the biggest, complex, and highly active metabolically organ for body processes. It produces bile, a digestive fluid; it also breaks down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; stores vitamins, glycogen, and other materials; creates blood clotting factors; eliminates waste products and poisonous materials from the circulation; controls blood volume; and breaks down old red blood cells.
Also Read: Role of Bile Salt in Digestion
Human Liver
Liver Function in Human Body
The only organ with effective organ regeneration is the liver. The liver performs the following crucial tasks:
- Detoxification: The liver filters toxins and harmful substances from the blood helping to detoxify the body.
- Metabolism: It plays a key role in metabolizing nutrients, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, regulating energy levels.
- Bile Production: The liver produces bile which helps in digestion by breaking down fats in the small intestine.
- Storage: It stores essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, as well as glycogen for energy.
- Synthesis: The liver synthesizes proteins necessary for blood clotting, immune function, and other bodily processes.
- Regulation: It helps regulate blood sugar levels by storing or releasing glucose as needed.
What are the Other Large Organs in Human Body?
As discussed above, skin and liver are the largest organs in the human body. Now, let’s read about other internal big organs in our body.
Human Brain
The weight of the human brain is around 3 pounds, or 1.36 kilograms or 2% of the total mass of the body. It is mostly made up of neurons, which are the basic building blocks of the nervous system and brain. According to recent estimates, the brain has between 86 billion and 100 billion neurons. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. It is responsible for thinking, interpreting, and originating control over bodily motions. The brain’s approximate measurements are as follows:
- Width: 14 centimeters, or 5.5 inches
- Height: 9.3 centimeters, or 3.6 inches
- Length: 16.7 cm (6.5 inches)
Human Brain
Also Read: Difference Between Brain and Spinal Cord
Lungs
Lungs are also categorized as the largest human organs based on their capacity for storage. The typical human lung has a capacity of 4–6 liters. A healthy human lung’s entire mass is 1111.67 grammes, or 2.45 pounds. The airways that go through the two lungs are 1,500 miles, or 2,400 km, in total length. Lungs are vital organs responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the human body.
Human Lungs
They are located within the thoracic cavity and play a crucial role in respiration. With a spongy texture, lungs contain millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. In comparison to the left lung, the right lung is larger. The pleura is a thin membrane sac that encloses these soft, spongy, elastic organs.
Also Read: Anatomy of the Human Lung
Heart
The human heart is a vital organ essential for supporting life. It has four chambers and is a muscular organ. It is approximately clenched fist-sized. One of the most resilient and powerful muscles in the human body, the heart works continuously throughout a person’s life. The heart that circulates blood throughout the body of most animals, not just humans.
Human Heart
Although they don’t work exactly like a human heart, even invertebrates like grasshoppers have pumping organs similar to the heart. Throughout its lifetime, the human heart pumps approximately 1.5 million barrels of blood. The average human heart measure –
- 4.7 inches or 12 centimeters long
- 3.3 cm, or 8.5 inches, in width
Kidneys
Each of these bean-shaped organs are approximately 11-14 centimeters in length. They are situated on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. Their primary function is to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood, producing urine as a result. On average, kidneys filter around 120-150 quarts of blood daily, ensuring the body remains in proper balance by regulating electrolyte levels, blood pressure, and pH. The measurements of a typical adult human kidney are:
- Length: 11-14 centimeters
- Width: 5-7 centimeters
- Thickness: 2-3 centimeters
Additionally, kidneys play a crucial role in the production of hormones such as erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production, and renin, involved in blood pressure regulation.
Human Kidneys
Conclusion – Largest Organ In the Human Body
In summary, the human body is a complex system comprising numerous organs, each with unique functions and significance. The largest organ is the skin which acts as a protective barrier and plays essential roles in regulating body temperature, sensation, immunity, and excretion. On the other hand, the liver, the largest internal organ, performs vital metabolic functions such as detoxification, metabolism, bile production, and storage. Together with other large organs like the brain, lungs, heart, and kidneys, they form the foundation of human physiology, ensuring proper functioning and maintaining overall health and well-being.
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FAQs on Largest Organ In the Human Body
What is the Second Largest Organ in Human Body?
The liver is considered to be the second-largest organ in the human body. The liver is a solid organ weighing about 1493.79 grams, or 3 to 3.5 pounds.
What is the Smallest Organ in Human Body?
The pineal organ is the smallest organ in the human body.
What is the Largest Organ in the Human Body by Size?
The skin is the largest organ in the human body by size.
How Many Muscles and Bones are There in the Human Body?
A human body is mainly composed of 600 muscles and 206 bones.
What is the Largest Organ in Human Body After Skin?
The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body after the skin.
What is the 3rd Largest Organ in the Body?
Lungs are the third-largest organs in the human body. The typical human lung has a capacity of 4–6 liters. It is measured to be around 1111.67 grams or 2.45 pounds.
Which is the Longest Bone in the Human Body?
The femur is considered to be the longest bone in the human body. It is estimated that it can support 30 times the weight of an adult.