The end organ is the final organ in a series of events, especially in disease processes, to be affected.
Understanding End Organs
An end organ represents the last target in a pathological chain reaction. This means that when a disease or condition progresses, the end organ is the ultimate site of damage or dysfunction. The reference material clarifies that these are organs that are ultimately impacted by chronic or progressive diseases.
Examples of End Organs
The reference provides some examples of common end organs:
- Liver: Can be affected by conditions like cirrhosis or hepatitis.
- Brain: Can be impacted by stroke, Alzheimer's disease, or traumatic brain injury.
- Kidney: A target in conditions like diabetic nephropathy or hypertensive nephrosclerosis, leading to renal failure.
- Heart: Affected in conditions like heart failure secondary to hypertension or coronary artery disease.
Role in Chronic Diseases
Chronic and progressive diseases often lead to damage in end organs. For instance, diabetes and hypertension can cause significant damage to kidneys (renal failure), making the kidney an end organ in these scenarios.
