Largest organ of the human body is?

Appeared in: SGPGI Nursing Officer-2023

Explanation

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, in terms of both surface area and weight.
It covers an extensive area of approximately 1.5 to 2.0 square meters in an average adult.
The skin accounts for about 15-16% of the total body weight.
Its primary functions are vital, including acting as a protective barrier, regulating body temperature, and enabling sensation.

Option B: Bone is a type of connective tissue, not a single organ. The entire skeletal system, composed of all bones, is considered an organ system.
Option C: The stomach is a vital organ in the digestive system, but it is significantly smaller in size and weight compared to the skin or the liver.
Option D: While the liver is the largest internal organ and the largest gland in the body, the skin is larger overall when considering total surface area and weight.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Identification of the largest organ in the human body helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Assessing the skin is a fundamental nursing skill, as its condition can indicate underlying systemic diseases, dehydration, nutritional status, and perfusion issues (e.g., cyanosis, jaundice).
Nurses play a crucial role in maintaining skin integrity to prevent pressure ulcers (bedsores) in immobile patients, which is a major indicator of quality of care.
What if? If a patient has extensive burns covering more than 20% of their body surface area (skin), the primary nursing priority shifts to managing massive fluid loss and preventing hypovolemic shock, as the skin's protective barrier function is compromised.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests knowledge of basic human anatomy.
First, read the question carefully to identify the core concept: 'largest organ'.
Evaluate each option based on anatomical facts. 'Skin' is widely known as the largest organ.
Consider the qualifiers for other options. 'Liver' is the largest internal organ. 'Bone' is a tissue, and the femur is the largest single bone. 'Stomach' is a smaller digestive organ.
Differentiate between 'largest organ' overall and 'largest internal organ'. Since the question does not specify 'internal', the overall largest organ is the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QRi8ka9uh9JJy9QAEfW_us

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 497-499

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 2 p. 1-3

Practise the full SGPGI Nursing Officer-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.