Largest Organs in the Human Body

The human body contains approximately 78 organs, each playing a vital role in maintaining homeostasis and overall health. Size varies dramatically — from the skin (the largest organ by surface area at roughly 1.7 m²) to the pineal gland (barely 8 mm long). This ranking highlights the most prominent organs by their significance and featured status in the AnatomyFYI database. These are the organs most commonly studied in anatomy courses and most frequently referenced in clinical practice. Understanding organ size and placement is essential for physical examination, medical imaging interpretation, and surgical planning.

Methodology

Featured organs from the AnatomyFYI database, filtered by entity_type='organ' and is_featured=True, ordered alphabetically. Data sourced from Terminologia Anatomica and Gray's Anatomy references.

5 structures

#1

Brain

Nervous · Brain

Nervous system
#2

Heart

Cardiovascular · Heart Region

Cardiovascular system
#3

Kidneys

Urinary · Abdomen

Urinary system
4

Liver

Digestive · Abdomen

A large, wedge-shaped organ occupying the right hypochondriac and epigastric regions of the abdomen. It is divided into right and left lobes by the falciform ligament. The porta hepatis on the inferio

Organ Digestive Abdomen
Digestive system 5

Lungs

Respiratory · Thorax

Paired cone-shaped organs occupying the pleural cavities. The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, inferior) and the left lung has two lobes (superior, inferior) with a cardiac notch. Each lo

Organ Respiratory Thorax
Respiratory system

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest organ in the human body?
The skin is the largest organ in the human body, covering approximately 1.5–2.0 square meters and weighing about 3.6 kg in adults. It serves as the body's primary barrier against pathogens, UV radiation, and mechanical damage.
How many organs are in the human body?
The human body contains approximately 78 organs, though the exact count depends on how organs are defined. Major organs include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, stomach, and intestines. In 2018, scientists proposed the interstitium as a newly identified organ.
What is the smallest organ in the human body?
The pineal gland is often cited as the smallest organ, measuring only about 5–8 mm in length. Located deep in the brain, it produces melatonin and plays a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles.

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Data verified: April 2026