GLOSSARY

An organ is a distinct structure in the body made of two or more types of tissue that performs a specific function.
The heart, lungs, liver, and stomach, and even every bone and every skeletal muscle, are organs.

Structure

Each organ usually contains all four basic tissues: for example, the quadriceps femoris consists of muscle tissue for contraction, connective tissue in the fascia and tendon to transmit force, nervous tissue to receive commands, and blood vessels for nourishment.
The main functional part of an organ is called the parenchyma, and its supporting tissue is called the stroma.

Relevance to Sport

The largest organ of the body is the skin, and by weight, the skeletal muscles together form the largest part of the body; regular exercise also improves the function of organs such as the heart and lungs.

Key Teaching Point

An organ is a unit that brings several tissues together for a shared task; this is why injury to an organ often involves several types of tissue at once.