Organ and Tissue Donation Glossary of Terms
- Bone and Connective Tissue
- Bone is dense tissue that forms the skeleton. Bone can be donated and transplanted. Connective tissue forms the supportive and connective structures of the body.
- Cornea
- The outer curved transparent tissue covering the iris and pupils on the outside of the eye. Only the cornea is removed for corneal transplants.
- Heart with Connective Tissue
- The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the body. Connective tissue is the tissue surrounding the heart that supports and connects the heart to the body.
- Heart Valves
- A tissue that prevents the back flow of blood into the heart.
- Iliac Vessels
- The arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the pelvic organs.
- Kidneys
- A pair of organs that maintain proper water and electrolyte balance, regulate acid-base concentration, and filter the blood of metabolic waste, which is excreted as urine.
- Liver (with Iliac Vessels)
- A large reddish-brown organ that secretes bile and is active in the formation of certain blood proteins and in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Lungs
- A pair of two spongy organs that remove carbon dioxide from the blood and provide it with oxygen.
- Pancreas (with Iliac Vessel)
- Long, irregularly shaped gland, which lies behind the stomach, and secretes pancreatic juice into the lower end of the stomach that aids in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
- Small Intestines
- The upper portion of the digestive tract responsible for the digestion of food.
- Transplantation
- A surgical procedure whereby life-saving and life-enhancing organs and tissues are implanted into a living human recipient.
- Veins
- The blood vessels that return blood to the heart.