PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
PSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2018
Answer
Mesentery
Explanation
In 2017, medical researchers classified a new organ inside the human body called the 'Mesentery', making it the 79th organ. It is a continuous fold of tissue found in the digestive system that attaches the intestines (small and large) to the posterior abdominal wall. For over a century, anatomists had considered the mesentery to be made up of fragmented, separate structures, but recent research confirmed its continuous anatomical structure.
Key Points
- > The mesentery is officially classified as the 79th organ of the human body.
- > It was reclassified as a continuous organ in 2017 by Irish researcher J. Calvin Coffey.
- > It is a part of the digestive system.
- > Its primary function is to attach the intestines to the abdominal wall and keep them in place.
- > Leonardo da Vinci had actually described the mesentery in his historical medical sketches.
- > The skin is the largest organ of the human body overall.
- > The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body.
Additional Information
Interesting Organs in Human Anatomy
| Organ Name | Location | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Whole body | Largest organ overall |
| Liver | Upper abdomen | Largest internal organ and gland |
| Stapes | Middle ear | Smallest bone |
| Pineal Gland | Brain | Smallest organ/gland |
| Mesentery | Digestive system | Newly classified 79th organ |
Memory Tips
- Hold it Together: Think of the Mesentery as the 'Messenger' that connects the intestines to the back of the abdomen.