Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

An organ bank is a facility that collects, stores, and processes organs for transplantation into recipients. These organs can come from deceased donors or, in some cases, living donors. The process is highly regulated and involves ethical considerations regarding donor shortages and the prevention of illegal organ trafficking.123

Organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, and pancreas are commonly transplanted. The viability of donated organs is time-sensitive, requiring rapid transplantation after removal. While some tissues like corneas can be preserved for longer periods, whole organs have limited storage times, necessitating efficient organ procurement and transportation systems. Blood banks, which store blood and its components, also play a crucial role in supporting various medical procedures, including those involving organ transplants.456

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.