• Question: If Lungs Get Pulled of and still work?

    Asked by natrualme to Jemma, John, Lisa, Sam on 27 May 2012.
    • Photo: Lisa Fitzgerald

      Lisa Fitzgerald answered on 27 May 2012:

      Hi @natrualme I’m not sure I understand your question could you try rewording it and asking it again?

    • Photo: Jemma Ransom

      Jemma Ransom answered on 28 May 2012:

      Hi @natrualme,

      do you mean how can lungs work after they are removed? Like a transplant? I’ll assume this is what you meant and try to answer you.

      So lungs, and indeed many other organs can survive being removed from a donor body when they no longer need them and will work when they are transplanted into someone whose organs have failed. the case only if the organ (in this case the lung) isn’t damaged or diseased in any way and as long as it is kept cool between one patient and another.

      One example that I find incredible is the liver. For most organs unfortunately someone has to die before they can donate. However, the liver is an exeption since we can take part of a liver from a living healthy donor and it will re-grow to form a fully functioning liver in the recipients body.

      I hope this answers your question.

      Jemma

Comments

  • Moderator - Katie commented on :

    Student naturalme has just reworded question: If your lungs get pulled would it still work without out any parts attached to it?

  • Photo: Lisa

    Lisa commented on :

    Hi @natrualme,

    I’m sorry I didn’t understand you before! As Jemma says they will be able to work when put back into a human body if stored correctly. They will not however work when not connected to the human body as they are living organs made up of cells. If they are not connected to a blood supply the cells will not receive oxygen and will therefore die.

    Thanks!

    Lisa