Are blood vessels classified as organs? Organs compose of 2 or more tissues and perform a certain function. Blood vessels have 3 different tissues and perform a function (transport blood), yet I do not see them being identified as an organ. Why is this? Are they organs? Or do they hold their own classification?
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asked May 20, 2015 at 16:06
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7$\begingroup$ Did you copy the question from here? $\endgroup$– CorneliusMay 20, 2015 at 20:01
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2$\begingroup$ @Cornelius, no need to ask. That is a copy/paste. $\endgroup$– Afzaal Ahmad ZeeshanMay 20, 2015 at 20:36
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1$\begingroup$ @Cornelius - nice find. Wouldn't this issue be a nice one for Meta? It looks like rep mining to me? I retracted my upvote. I might be downvoting if OP doesn't respond. $\endgroup$– AliceD ♦May 21, 2015 at 11:35
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1$\begingroup$ @AliceD I believe similar issues were discussed on Meta.SE, but I can't find the question now. Anyway I consider we should focus on giving better answers than the ones on Yahoo, where, again, the best answer is a copy-paste from Wikipedia. $\endgroup$– CorneliusMay 21, 2015 at 12:08
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1$\begingroup$ @Cornelius - It is a bad tag; I just added terminology and wavered to delete hematology. Thing is there has to be some tag linking it to the vascular system - what about blood-circulation? +1 for your answer btw $\endgroup$– AliceD ♦May 21, 2015 at 12:17
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3 Answers
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I don't know if they are classified as organs, but basically, blood vessels match the criteria for being organs.
Quoting SIU School of Medicine:
Blood vessels are basically tubular organs found within other organs.
Biology Reference states the same:
Even the glands within the integument can be considered organs; any gland is primarily secretory epithelium surrounded by connective tissue for support and protection. Likewise, the blood vessels and nerves in these organs are organs unto themselves.
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The cardiovascular system is usually lumped together as an organ. So blood vessels would be included here but you are right in that this is a bit strange being that it includes the heart and the vasculature.
answered May 20, 2015 at 16:22
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Yes blood vessels can be called as organs. They are part of organ system. By definition an organ is one which is made of different tissues and contributes with other organs to a specific function in the body. Here blood vessels are made of different tissues like smooth muscle, epithelial tissue, elastic tissue etc.
