The lightest organ in the human body is the lung.
Understanding Organ Weights
While the heart is often thought to be the lightest organ due to its essential nature, the lungs are actually lighter. The lungs' structure, filled with air sacs, makes them surprisingly light compared to other organs like the liver or kidneys, which have a denser composition.
Comparing Organ Weights
| Organ | Typical Weight |
|---|---|
| Lung | Relatively Light |
| Heart | Heavier than Lung |
| Liver | Much heavier |
| Kidneys | Moderate weight |
Why Lungs are Light
The lungs have a specific function in the human body, that of gas exchange, therefore, they need a structure that is mostly made of air sacs (alveoli) with thin walls to facilitate the passage of oxygen into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide out of it. This makes them the lightest of all organs.
As a result, while the heart and other organs have a denser, more compact structure, the lungs have evolved to be light and efficient.
- Air-Filled Structure: The key to the lung’s lightness is its air-filled structure and low tissue density.
- Gas Exchange Function: Its main job is to exchange gases between the air and the blood, this requires an expanded surface which is obtained via tiny air sacs (alveoli).
Reference
- The lightest organ in the human body is the lung.17-Sept-2018
