The human body contains a variety of organs, each of which plays a key role in the functioning of the body. While some organs are essential for life, others can be removed or even live outside the body for periods of time.
One of the most notable organs that can live without the body is the heart. In certain cases, such as when a donor heart is needed for a transplant, a heart can be taken from a donor and kept alive in a machine called an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine. This machine functions as a temporary artificial heart and can keep the donor heart alive for up to eight hours.
The liver is another organ that can be kept alive outside the body for extended periods of time. This is done by connecting the organ to a machine that filters and oxygenates the blood, as well as providing nutrients and other materials. This process, known as a machine perfusion, can keep the liver alive for up to 24 hours.
The kidneys can also be kept alive outside the body for a limited time. This is done by connecting the organ to a machine that filters the blood and provides nutrients, oxygen, and other materials. This process, known as a kidney dialysis machine, can keep the kidneys functioning for up to 48 hours.
Finally, the pancreas can be kept alive outside the body for a limited period of time. This is done by connecting the organ to a machine that filters and oxygenates the blood, as well as providing nutrients and other materials. This process, known as a machine perfusion, can keep the pancreas functioning for up to 12 hours.
Overall, there are several organs in the human body that can be kept alive outside the body for a limited period of time, with the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas being the most nota