Do You Really Need Stomach In Your Body? 7 Organs You Can Live Without

The human body is a mechanism of several parts that work together collectively for the functioning of the body. It comprises billions of smaller structures ranging from cells, tissues, organs, and systems. The structure of any living thing includes various organs which work together so that the human body can operate properly. That's how important our organs are—without them, our body would shut down completely.

If major organs like the heart, liver, or brain stop working, then the chances of survival are very grim. But what if we remove an organ like the stomach or gallbladder from our body? Can the human body survive?

Here is the list of 7 organs which a human can live without:

Appendix

The appendix is a small tube which resembles the shape of a worm and is attached to the large intestine. The appendix is an organ that is often considered ‘removable’ if complications arise due to an infection. Early research states that the organ was vestigial, as it was theorized that our earliest ancestors used this organ to digest leaves.

These worm-like tubes are ‘blind-ended.’ When contents from the intestine enter these tubes in some cases, difficulty may occur in the passing of these contents, which can lead to inflammation. This is called appendicitis. Appendicitis causes pain in the lower-right part of the belly; in a large number of cases, it has to be surgically removed.

A new study has revealed that appendixes do have a purpose in our body that can be quite beneficial. A human appendix carries lymphoid cells that help our body fight against infections. Another role is to produce and store good microbes for the human gut.

Adenoids

Adenoids are ‘lumps of tissues’ or a type of gland that are located behind the nasal cavity. These glands have a significant role in children, as they assist in trapping harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. Adenoids act as a protective barrier against germs that enter the human body through the mouth or nose. They are highly operative in children, but as a child grows into an adult, adenoids become less effective and vital.

By the time of adulthood, adenoids become rudimentary and can disappear by the age of 13. Sometimes, they can get infected and even swollen, which can cause breathing problems, sinus issues, or sleep apnea— a serious sleep disorder in which a person stops his/her breathing while they are asleep.

A surgical procedure like adenoidectomy can be performed to remove the adenoids if there is a severe case of breathing problems or frequent ear or sinus infections caused by swollen adenoids. It is a common procedure which can be helpful for children of young age. After the age of 7 or 8, these adenoids start to shrink.

Gallbladder

This pear-shaped organ is found in the upper right part of your belly (abdomen). It releases and stores bile, which is a type of digestive fluid released by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps during the digestive process, as it aids in breaking down fats. Gallbladder removal surgery, or cholecystectomy, is the process that a patient diagnosed with gallbladder stones or inflammation undergoes. Excess cholesterol in the bile causes gallbladder stones, which block the tube through which bile passes. Under these circumstances, cholecystectomy is advised.

Without this organ, the body can function normally. A person can digest food, but there are some alterations after the surgery that a patient could face. As bile will start flowing directly into the intestine from the liver, this can lead to issues like gas and increased bloating. Although, the majority of people can begin their normal day-to-day activities after recovery and resume their usual diet.

Kidney

The human body has two kidneys at the back of the abdomen. Their primary function is to filter blood and clean waste out of the body, such as urea and creatinine (nitrogenous end products). These bean-shaped organs—almost the size of a fist—regulate blood pressure, water, and electrolyte balance.

If an injury happens to one kidney, the human body can survive with the second one. In cases of failure of both kidneys, humans can live without them with the assistance of dialysis. Dialysis is a treatment that is opted for, when both kidneys of a patient are not working properly.

Stomach

The stomach is a significant part of the digestive system. This J-shaped organ mainly functions to digest food. When you intake any kind of food, the stomach contracts and produces acids and enzymes which helps in breaking the food down, which later passes into the small intestine.

However, the stomach can be removed, and a person can live a normal and healthy life without it. For example, the stomach is often removed in patients who are suffering from stomach or gastric cancer. Gastrectomy is a procedure for partial or full removal of the stomach. In the case of a full gastrectomy, the stomach is surgically removed from the body. The Oesophagus— a tube that transfers food from the throat to the stomach—is connected directly to the small intestine.

When the stomach is removed fully or partially, food reaches the intestine more quickly, which can lead to symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, and sweating. These symptoms can be managed with a dietary plan recommended by a doctor.

Colon

In the presence of cancer, the colon—also known as the large bowel or large intestine—is removed from the body. The task of the colon comes much later in the digestion process. Everything starts from the mouth: we begin by chewing food, which travels into the stomach through the Oesophagus, a to break down into liquid. It is then passed down to the small bowel (intestine) for further breakdown with the assistance of other organs like the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.

After the absorption of all the nutrients and vitamins in this step, all liquid that is left moves into the colon, which absorbs the water. The bacteria present in the colon break down the remaining material, and then it moves the leftover waste into the rectum, found at the end of the colon.

The removal of the colon from the body is called colectomy or colon resection, which is performed if a patient is diagnosed with cancer. Surgeons connect the small intestine directly to the anus so that the patient can expel waste through it. In some cases, they may also add a temporary or permanent colostomy bag, which collects all human waste. Complete recovery from a colectomy takes about 5–6 weeks.

Spleen

Can the liver perform the same functions as the spleen? Let’s understand.

In the simplest terms, the spleen protects the human body from infectious bacteria. Inside the spleen, there are two segments: red pulp and white pulp. The red part stores and recycles red blood cells, whereas the white part is primarily linked to the storage of white blood cells and platelets.

Can a human being live without the spleen? The answer is yes. The spleen, located on the left side of the abdomen, plays a role in blood filtration but its presence is not compulsory. If, in any case, the spleen is removed—a surgical procedure known as splenectomy—other organs like the liver can take over its function and perform its tasks seamlessly. [Rh/VS]