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What Are The 78 Organs In The Human Body and Why Are They Important?

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Diagram and Functions of the 78 Organs in the Human Body (with Organ Names)

The human body is a marvel of biological engineering, made up of different systems working in harmony. You might be curious about what are the 78 organs in the human body and how they contribute to our health and daily functions. Understanding these organs helps students appreciate how life processes occur, and why each structure is vital.


Definition: What Are the 78 Organs in the Human Body?


Organs are distinct structures in living organisms that perform specific tasks essential for life. Humans are believed to have 78 organs that are key to survival, including the brain, heart, liver, and many others. Each organ is made up of different tissues working together to fulfill unique roles. Knowing what are the 78 organs in the human body gives clear insight into biological systems.


List: Names of the 78 Organs in Human Body


To answer "what are the names of the 78 organs in the human body?", here's a comprehensive, student-friendly list. These organs are grouped by the body systems they belong to, and each plays a crucial biological role.


  1. Brain
  2. Cerebellum
  3. Pineal gland
  4. Pituitary gland
  5. Hypothalamus
  6. Thyroid gland
  7. Parathyroid glands (4)
  8. Thymus
  9. Adrenal glands (2)
  10. Pituitary gland
  11. Lungs (2)
  12. Trachea
  13. Larynx
  14. Pharynx
  15. Esophagus
  16. Heart
  17. Pericardium
  18. Liver
  19. Gallbladder
  20. Stomach
  21. Small intestine
  22. Large intestine
  23. Rectum
  24. Anus
  25. Pancreas
  26. Spleen
  27. Kidneys (2)
  28. Ureters (2)
  29. Urinary bladder
  30. Urethra
  31. Skin
  32. Eyes (2)
  33. Ears (2)
  34. Nose
  35. Tongue
  36. Teeth (32 total, counted as one organ)
  37. Salivary glands (3 pairs)
  38. Pharyngeal tonsils
  39. Lymph nodes (major clusters count as organs)
  40. Bone marrow
  41. Skeletal muscles (counted as muscle system)
  42. Bones (largest bones often counted as key organs, e.g. femur)
  43. Joints (major types such as the knee)
  44. Mammary glands
  45. Prostate gland (in males)
  46. Testes (2, in males)
  47. Seminal vesicles (in males)
  48. Ovaries (2, in females)
  49. Fallopian tubes (2, in females)
  50. Uterus (in females)
  51. Vagina (in females)
  52. Vulva (in females)
  53. Penis (in males)
  54. Scrotum (in males)
  55. Clitoris (in females)
  56. Placenta (in pregnant females)
  57. Thyroid cartilage
  58. Epiglottis
  59. Diaphragm
  60. Appendix
  61. Caecum
  62. Mesentery
  63. Omentum
  64. Corpus callosum
  65. Cranial nerves (12 pairs, counted together)
  66. Peripheral nerves (grouped)
  67. Blood vessels (aorta, vena cava, etc.)
  68. Vitreous humor (in eyes)
  69. Retina
  70. Iris
  71. Cornea
  72. Lens (in eyes)
  73. Bronchi
  74. Alveoli (in lungs)
  75. Bronchioles
  76. Meninges (covering nervous tissue)

This list helps you visualize what are the 78 organs in the human body in order and their overall arrangement.


What Are the 78 Organs in the Human Body and Their Functions?


Each organ plays a specific function, contributing to the body's complex operations. Whether it is for breathing, digestion, reproduction, or communication, organs are vital. Here are examples of key organs and their functions:


  • Brain: Controls learning, emotions, memory, and coordination.
  • Heart: Pumps blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients.
  • Lungs: Allow oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal from blood.
  • Liver: Regulates metabolism, detoxifies chemicals, produces bile.
  • Kidneys: Filter blood, remove wastes, control water and mineral levels.
  • Stomach and intestines: Digest food and absorb nutrients.
  • Skin: Protects internal organs, regulates temperature, and senses touch.
  • Eyes and ears: Enable vision and hearing.
  • Pancreas: Makes insulin and enzymes for digestion.
  • Ovaries and testes: Produce hormones and reproductive cells.

For more detailed functions, Vedantu's resources on external and internal organs and parts of the brain offer deeper insight.


Understanding Human Organ Systems


The 78 organs in the human body are organized into various systems. Each system enables specific processes crucial to human survival and development. The main systems are:


  • Nervous system: Brain, spinal cord, nerves, sense organs
  • Digestive system: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas
  • Respiratory system: Nose, trachea, lungs, bronchi, alveoli
  • Circulatory system: Heart, blood vessels, blood
  • Excretory system: Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra
  • Endocrine system: Glands like thyroid, pituitary, adrenal
  • Reproductive system: Testes, ovaries, uterus, penis, vagina
  • Skeletal and muscular systems: Bones, muscles, joints
  • Lymphatic system: Spleen, thymus, lymph nodes
  • Integumentary system: Skin, hair, nails

All these systems work together for bodily movement, nutrition, defense, and reproduction—for more information, explore topics like the functions of nutrients or metatarsal for skeletal details.


Diagram: Arrangement of the 78 Organs in the Human Body


Although there are no images provided here, diagrams can help visualize organ positions and connectivity. Well-labelled diagrams in your textbooks or Vedantu’s biology diagrams section are recommended to understand organ arrangement.


Interesting Facts and Applications in Life


The study of the 78 organs is essential for medical science, nutrition, sports, and health management. For example, knowing about the small intestine helps us understand absorption of nutrients. The superior vena cava supports efficient blood return to the heart. Environmental and lifestyle impacts on organs are discussed in topics like effects of climate change.


Page Summary

Learning what are the 78 organs in the human body and their functions builds a strong foundation in biology, medicine, and health. Each organ is uniquely important and integrated into systems that sustain life. This knowledge empowers students to understand human biology and appreciate how our bodies respond to internal and external factors.

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FAQs on What Are The 78 Organs In The Human Body and Why Are They Important?

1. What are the 78 organs in the human body?

The human body has 78 main organs, each with important functions. These include vital organs and several organ systems. Examples of key organs are:

  • Heart
  • Brain
  • Lungs
  • Liver
  • Kidneys
  • Stomach
  • Small and large intestines
  • Skin
  • Pancreas
  • Spleen
  • Other organs include glands, bones, eyes, ears, and reproductive organs.
The complete list covers all body systems: digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, urinary, endocrine, reproductive, and integumentary. Understanding these organs is essential for Class 10 Biology and CBSE exams.

2. What is the largest organ in the human body?

The largest organ in the human body is the skin. This organ has several essential functions:

  • Protects underlying tissues from injury and pathogens
  • Regulates body temperature
  • Prevents excessive water loss
  • Supports sensations like touch and pain
The skin forms the first line of defense against microbes and physical injuries.

3. Name five vital organs in the human body.

The five vital organs necessary for survival are the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These organs perform life-sustaining functions:

  1. Brain: Controls body functions and processes information.
  2. Heart: Pumps blood throughout the body.
  3. Lungs: Facilitate oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
  4. Liver: Processes nutrients and detoxifies toxins.
  5. Kidneys: Filter waste from the blood and maintain fluid balance.

4. What is meant by organ systems? Give examples.

An organ system is a group of organs working together for a common function. For example:

  • Digestive system: stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas
  • Respiratory system: lungs, trachea, nose
  • Circulatory system: heart, blood vessels
  • Nervous system: brain, spinal cord, nerves
Organ systems maintain homeostasis and overall health.

5. How many organs are in the human body and how are they classified?

The human body contains 78 organs classified by structure and function. These include:

  • Vital organs (5): brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys
  • Major organs: organs with specialized functions (like stomach, intestines)
  • Accessory organs: support major organ systems
Organs work together in systems to ensure survival and health.

6. Which organ is responsible for blood purification in the body?

The kidneys are the main organs responsible for blood purification. Their key roles include:

  • Filtering waste products from blood
  • Regulating water and electrolyte balance
  • Maintaining acid-base balance
Healthy kidneys are crucial for removing toxins and keeping the body in balance.

7. What are the primary functions of the liver?

The liver has several essential functions in the human body. Its main roles are:

  • Metabolising nutrients from food
  • Detoxifying harmful chemicals
  • Producing bile for fat digestion
  • Storing vitamins and energy (glycogen)
The liver is vital for digestion and detoxification.

8. What are sensory organs? Name five examples.

Sensory organs help us perceive the world by receiving and transmitting sensory information. Five main sensory organs are:

  1. Eyes
  2. Ears
  3. Nose
  4. Tongue
  5. Skin
These organs allow us to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.

9. Why is the heart considered vital for life?

The heart is vital because it pumps blood and supplies oxygen and nutrients to organs. Its functions include:

  • Maintaining blood circulation
  • Delivering oxygen and nutrients
  • Removing waste products
Without the heart, other organs cannot function efficiently.

10. Can you list the 78 organs in the human body?

The 78 organs in the human body cover all key structures across organ systems. Some of these are:

  • Brain
  • Heart
  • Lungs
  • Liver
  • Kidneys
  • Stomach
  • Small intestine
  • Large intestine
  • Pancreas
  • Spleen
  • Gall bladder
  • Skin
  • Bladder
  • Reproductive organs (ovaries/testes, uterus)
  • Thyroid gland
  • Eyes, ears, tongue, nose
  • Bones (individual bones are classified as organs)
The full official list depends on classification, but these examples cover the major organ systems for exam purposes.