transplant (organ) – moving an organ from one person's body to another

(Pronounced trans-plant)

To remember the meaning of transplant (organ), use the following mnemonic:

The transfer was performed by the plant (transplant) who moved an organ from one person's body to another.

An organ transplant is a medical procedure where an organ is surgically removed from one person and placed into a recipient whose corresponding organ has failed or is severely damaged. The most commonly transplanted organs include kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and corneas, with the goal of replacing the function of the diseased organ and potentially saving or significantly improving the recipients life.

For a successful transplant, tissue compatibility between donor and recipient must be carefully matched using blood typing and testing to minimise the risk of rejection. After a transplant, the recipient must take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of their lives to prevent their immune system from attacking and rejecting the transplanted organ, as the immune system naturally recognises foreign tissue as a threat. Organ donation can come from a living donor (such as kidney or liver donation) or deceased donors.