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Appendix - The organ produces immunoglobulins, which can help the immune system combat infections.
© Shutterstock
1 / 29 Fotos
Appendix - However, other organs produce similar antibodies. Humans can also get appendicitis, a medical emergency that needs immediate attention. For that reason, many choose to get their appendix removed.
© iStock
2 / 29 Fotos
Lungs - The lungs are one of the largest organs in the human body. In fact, the surface area of two lungs is the same size as a tennis court.
© iStock
3 / 29 Fotos
Lungs - Lungs are key in keeping all of our cells alive. When we inhale, the lungs are the organs that transfer the oxygen into the bloodstream and remove harmful carbon dioxide.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
Lungs - That being said, humans can survive with just one lung. Matter of fact, Pope Francis is someone who has lived with just one lung for decades.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
Kidneys - Kidneys: those oddly-shaped organs that take toxins out of the bloodstream and regulate blood pressure.
© iStock
6 / 29 Fotos
Kidneys - Lose both kidneys and you're in trouble. However, humans can function pretty well with just one kidney.
© Shutterstock
7 / 29 Fotos
Thyroids - Thyroids produce hormones that monitor metabolism in the human body. Thanks to medical innovation, thyroids can be "replaced" if they are damaged.
© iStock
8 / 29 Fotos
Thyroids
- Synthetic hormones have been developed to replicate the role of thyroids.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Gallbladder - This small organ stores and concentrates bile, which helps the body digest fatty foods.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Gallbladder - It's important for digestion, but the gallbladder isn't 100% necessary. Intestines can get the job done themselves, and uncomfortable gallstones can actually form in the gallbladder.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Spleen - The spleen has many uses, like producing blood and defense cells for fetuses. After a baby is born, the spleen starts to destroy harmful cells in the body.
© iStock
12 / 29 Fotos
Spleen - Since the spleen stores so much blood, any injuries to it can be lethal. A swelling spleen can also lead to internal bleeding, so some choose to get it removed.
© iStock
13 / 29 Fotos
Kidneys - If you lose both kidneys, dialysis can be used to keep you alive. That is, until someone donates a spare kidney.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
Reproductive organs - Sure, reproductive organs are very important, but getting rid of them actually has some health benefits. Just hear us out here…
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
Reproductive organs
- Conditions like uterine fibroids and endometriosis can be treated by removing the uterus. Meanwhile, removing testicles can be effective when treating testicular cancer. However, hormones take a huge hit by removing reproductive organs. That said, there are treatments out there for testosterone and estrogen replacements.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
Bladder - The bladder is a super important organ that removes waste and helps process urine.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Bladder - However, a human can have their bladder safely removed. The organ can be taken out to treat cancer or certain medical disorders.
© iStock
18 / 29 Fotos
Bladder - If you get your bladder removed, you may need to get a special bag attached to your abdomen. This procedure is called urostomy.
© iStock
19 / 29 Fotos
The colon - The colon plays a key role in the human body. The large intestine takes digested food and helps turn it into solid waste.
© Shutterstock
20 / 29 Fotos
The colon - That said, humans can survive without their colon, this thanks to advances in surgery and medical technology.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
The colon - Removing your colon can help treat many medical issues, like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis.
© iStock
22 / 29 Fotos
Stomach - People get their stomach removed to combat certain cancers and genetic disorders.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Stomach - If a patient has their stomach removed, it's likely that the esophagus will be connected to the small intestine.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Eyes - You don't need to be told how important eyes are. However, did you know that humans can survive without them entirely?
© iStock
25 / 29 Fotos
Eyes - Eyes just aren't an essential organ for our survival—though losing one, and especially both, can make life very challenging.
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
Tonsils - Tonsils can help humans prevent sickness. They catch germs and direct the body to make white blood cells to combat them.
© iStock
27 / 29 Fotos
Tonsils
- That said, tonsils can be easily removed, with no real side effects. See also: Unusual bodily changes after death
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Appendix - The organ produces immunoglobulins, which can help the immune system combat infections.
© Shutterstock
1 / 29 Fotos
Appendix - However, other organs produce similar antibodies. Humans can also get appendicitis, a medical emergency that needs immediate attention. For that reason, many choose to get their appendix removed.
© iStock
2 / 29 Fotos
Lungs - The lungs are one of the largest organs in the human body. In fact, the surface area of two lungs is the same size as a tennis court.
© iStock
3 / 29 Fotos
Lungs - Lungs are key in keeping all of our cells alive. When we inhale, the lungs are the organs that transfer the oxygen into the bloodstream and remove harmful carbon dioxide.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
Lungs - That being said, humans can survive with just one lung. Matter of fact, Pope Francis is someone who has lived with just one lung for decades.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
Kidneys - Kidneys: those oddly-shaped organs that take toxins out of the bloodstream and regulate blood pressure.
© iStock
6 / 29 Fotos
Kidneys - Lose both kidneys and you're in trouble. However, humans can function pretty well with just one kidney.
© Shutterstock
7 / 29 Fotos
Thyroids - Thyroids produce hormones that monitor metabolism in the human body. Thanks to medical innovation, thyroids can be "replaced" if they are damaged.
© iStock
8 / 29 Fotos
Thyroids
- Synthetic hormones have been developed to replicate the role of thyroids.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Gallbladder - This small organ stores and concentrates bile, which helps the body digest fatty foods.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
Gallbladder - It's important for digestion, but the gallbladder isn't 100% necessary. Intestines can get the job done themselves, and uncomfortable gallstones can actually form in the gallbladder.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Spleen - The spleen has many uses, like producing blood and defense cells for fetuses. After a baby is born, the spleen starts to destroy harmful cells in the body.
© iStock
12 / 29 Fotos
Spleen - Since the spleen stores so much blood, any injuries to it can be lethal. A swelling spleen can also lead to internal bleeding, so some choose to get it removed.
© iStock
13 / 29 Fotos
Kidneys - If you lose both kidneys, dialysis can be used to keep you alive. That is, until someone donates a spare kidney.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
Reproductive organs - Sure, reproductive organs are very important, but getting rid of them actually has some health benefits. Just hear us out here…
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
Reproductive organs
- Conditions like uterine fibroids and endometriosis can be treated by removing the uterus. Meanwhile, removing testicles can be effective when treating testicular cancer. However, hormones take a huge hit by removing reproductive organs. That said, there are treatments out there for testosterone and estrogen replacements.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
Bladder - The bladder is a super important organ that removes waste and helps process urine.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Bladder - However, a human can have their bladder safely removed. The organ can be taken out to treat cancer or certain medical disorders.
© iStock
18 / 29 Fotos
Bladder - If you get your bladder removed, you may need to get a special bag attached to your abdomen. This procedure is called urostomy.
© iStock
19 / 29 Fotos
The colon - The colon plays a key role in the human body. The large intestine takes digested food and helps turn it into solid waste.
© Shutterstock
20 / 29 Fotos
The colon - That said, humans can survive without their colon, this thanks to advances in surgery and medical technology.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
The colon - Removing your colon can help treat many medical issues, like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis.
© iStock
22 / 29 Fotos
Stomach - People get their stomach removed to combat certain cancers and genetic disorders.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Stomach - If a patient has their stomach removed, it's likely that the esophagus will be connected to the small intestine.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Eyes - You don't need to be told how important eyes are. However, did you know that humans can survive without them entirely?
© iStock
25 / 29 Fotos
Eyes - Eyes just aren't an essential organ for our survival—though losing one, and especially both, can make life very challenging.
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
Tonsils - Tonsils can help humans prevent sickness. They catch germs and direct the body to make white blood cells to combat them.
© iStock
27 / 29 Fotos
Tonsils
- That said, tonsils can be easily removed, with no real side effects. See also: Unusual bodily changes after death
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
Body parts we can live without: a medical perspective
They perform important functions yet may need to be removed
© Getty Images
Believe it or not, humans can live without plenty of body parts. Lungs, eyes, kidneys: turns out you don't need 'em! Well, not exactly, but humans can survive without many important organs. Can you imagine life without eyes? Or getting by without reproductive organs? Turns out that it's possible.
Click through this gallery to find out exactly which body parts you can live without.
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