Believe it or not, you’re walking around with 78 organs, and quite a few of them aren’t strictly necessary for survival. Losing them wouldn’t be ideal, but it wouldn’t mean the end either.
“This just shows how incredibly adaptable the human body is and how advanced medical interventions have become,” explained Dr. Indraneil Mukherjee, a minimally invasive surgeon at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital, during a discussion with the New York Post.
From surplus parts of your intestine to rerouting your bladder, here are 10 organs you can live without.
1. Appendix
Described as a worm-like pouch attached to your large intestine, the appendix is considered largely redundant today, according to Mukherjee. Its removal doesn’t necessitate ongoing medication, and most individuals recover quickly.
2. Gallbladder
This small organ that stores bile can be removed with minimal overall impact. “Your liver will compensate by dripping bile right into the small intestine,” Mukherjee explained. Some might need to adjust their diet, but otherwise, life continues as normal.
3. Kidney
Humans have two kidneys, but just one is sufficient for health. “A single kidney can effectively filter your blood and maintain your health,” Mukherjee pointed out. Regular check-ups are necessary, but no lifelong medication is needed.
4. Stomach
The stomach plays a crucial role in blending and storing food for digestion. If it needs to be removed due to issues like ulcers, cancer, or for bariatric reasons, food bypasses it and moves directly into the small intestine. “This completely changes the digestive process and requires continuous dietary monitoring and medical support,” said Mukherjee.
5. Small Bowel
It’s possible to live without parts of your small bowel. However, removing too much can lead to a condition known as short bowel syndrome, complicating the absorption of nutrients and fluids and possibly leading to diarrhea, fatigue, and the need for IV nutrition. “Survival is possible, but it demands significant lifestyle adjustments,” Mukherjee noted.
6. Colon
Life without a colon involves more frequent and quicker bowel movements, but it’s manageable. Some individuals have their bowel surgically reconnected, while others might use a colostomy bag. “You can lead an almost normal life, including activities like swimming and ballroom dancing,” said Mukherjee.
7. Anus
If removal of the anus is necessary, surgeons can create an alternative exit through the abdomen, involving the use of a stoma bag. While it requires some upkeep, it’s a functional solution. Active living is entirely possible with this adjustment.
8. Esophagus
In cases where the esophagus must be removed, it can be reconstructed using parts from the stomach or intestines. This makes swallowing more challenging, and a feeding tube might be temporarily necessary, Mukherjee explained.
9. Urinary Bladder
If the bladder is removed, urine can be rerouted to an external bag or a newly created internal pouch. “Adapting to this change is crucial,” Mukherjee stated, “but individuals can still lead vibrant, active lives.”
10. Lung
Living with one lung is feasible, though it permanently alters your breathing capacity. “Athletically inclined people might adjust better,” Mukherjee said, “but vulnerabilities like minor colds or environmental pollution can become more problematic.”
While no one would voluntarily give up these organs, if necessary, the body has remarkable ways of compensating, allowing many to continue living well.
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