An autopsy study to establish normal range of weight of human organs

Introduction:Human organ weights besides race, age, gender are also reported to be dependent on environmental and socioeconomic conditions which are quite different in various parts of India. Hence, the organ weights reported from other parts of India are definitely not applicable directly to the population of Pune Zone of India. Hence the study was undertaken to study the weight of human organs in Western Maharashtra. Systemic disease processes, poisonings, decomposition that affect organ weights were excluded in the present study.

Aims and Objectives:Establish the range of normal organ weight of brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and spleen in Indian population group living in Pune Zone of Western Maharashtra and to estimate the variability in the organ weights.

Material and Methods:210 cases (145 males and 65 females) on whom autopsy was conducted after following the inclusion and exclusion criteria were part of study in the span of 6 months

Results:The mean weight in males were Brain(1182.6g), Heart(319.31g), Right Lungs(458.22g),Left Lungs(428.99g) Liver(1337.7g),Spleen(175.36g) Right Kidney(139.58g),Left Kidney (136.04g). The mean weight in females were Brain(1160.35g), Heart(314.56g), Right Lungs(463.33g), Left Lungs(415.41g), Liver(1408.67g), Spleen(177g), Right Kidney(133.16g), Left Kidney(126g).

Conclusion:In the field of forensic pathology, organ weight is usually used as a determinant of disease processes or pathologic states. Thus, being able to predict the weight of an organ is less important than the knowledge of what a normal organ should weigh.