The five primary organs of excretion in humans are the kidneys, large intestine, liver, skin, and lungs. Each organ plays a vital role in removing different types of waste products from the body.
The Key Excretory Organs: A Detailed Look
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Kidneys: These bean-shaped organs are the main excretory organs, filtering blood to remove waste products like urea and excess water, producing urine. The urinary system, comprising the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is crucial for this process. [See: Cleveland Clinic's Urinary System page for more details].
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Large Intestine: This organ removes solid waste, undigested food, and some water through the process of defecation.
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Liver: The liver plays a crucial role in filtering blood, metabolizing toxins and waste products, and producing bile, which aids in digestion. Some waste products are excreted directly into bile and eliminated through the large intestine.
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Skin: The skin eliminates waste products through perspiration (sweat), which contains water, salts, and urea.
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Lungs: The lungs expel carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, during exhalation.
Several sources confirm this list of five major excretory organs: Biology LibreTexts, Ekhart Yoga's article on elimination, and various other resources all point to this quintet of organs. While other organs contribute to waste removal, these five are considered the primary organs of the human excretory system.
