Organ transplantation

Organ transplantation is a surgical procedure in which one person (the donor) undergoes the removal of organs, tissues, or a group of cells, which are then surgically transplanted into another person (the recipient), or relocated from one site to another within the same individual. Organs and tissues transplanted within the same person's body are referred to as autografts. Transplants performed recently between two subjects of the same species are termed allografts. Successfully transplanted organs include the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine, thymus, and uterus. Tissues that can be transplanted encompass bones, tendons (collectively known as musculoskeletal grafts), corneas, skin, heart valves, nerves, and veins. Globally, kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs, followed by the liver and then the heart.