Organ / Tissue |
Function / Application |
Heart |
- pumps blood to the body
- life-saving heart replacement for patients whose hearts no longer work
|
Lung |
- organs of respiration
- life-saving lung replacement for patients with cystic fibrosis emphysema, or other end-stage lung disease
|
Liver |
- instrumental in energy regulation
- breaking down proteins
- removing wastes from the blood
- life-saving replacement of non-functioning livers for patients with end-stage liver disease
|
Kidney |
- extracts wastes and excess water from the blood
- produces hormones that help to regulate blood pressure
- life-enhancing/life-saving organ replacement for patients
- with kidney failure; eliminates the need for dialysis
|
Pancreas |
- secretes enzymes necessary for digestion
- secretes insulin that regulates blood sugar
- life-enhancing/life-saving replacement of diseased pancreas in diabetics
- eliminates the need for insulin injections and/or dialysis
|
Eyes / Cornea |
- allow light to enter the eye
- restore vision to the blind
|
Fascia |
- fibrous membrane that covers, supports, and separates the muscles
- restores support; limb and soft tissue repair, reconstructive and fascial defect repair
|
Skin |
- the body's first barrier against dehydration, injury, infection, and loss of body heat
- life-saving covering for burn patients
- decreases pain, infection, heat and fluid loss
|
Tendons |
- attaches muscle to bone
- allows joint movement while keeping the joint together
- used to restore mobility in patients who have damaged tendons or joint injuries
|
Bone |
- structural support of the body
- protects vital organs
- facial reconstruction
- limb salvage
- correction of birth defects, cancer treatments, spinal and oral surgery
|
Bone Marrow |
- soft bone tissue which produces new blood cells and hemoglobin
- life-saving treatment for patients with aplastic anemia, immunodeficiencies
- has helped produce remission in certain types of acute leukemia
|
Small Intestine |
- upper end of the digestive tract
- provides for absorption of the products of digestion
- life-saving replacement for patients with short-bowel syndrome or Crohn's Disease
|
Heart Valves |
- All four valves in the heart help regulate the amount of blood in the heart's chambers and help prevent the blood from flowing backward
- aortic and pulmonary valves are used to repair heart valves damaged by genetic disorders or rheumatic fever
|
Dura |
- a spongy membrane covering the brain and spinal cord
- protects brain and spinal cord from injury
- used in neurological surgery to repair defects in dura
- also used in general surgery to repair large abdominal wall defects
|
Cartilage |
- connective tissue that serves as structural support in areas like the nose and ears
- facial and other reconstructive surgery
|
