Korean J Anat.  2009 Dec;42(4):219-224.

Statistical Analysis for Organ Weights in Korean Adult Autopsies

• Kim YS
• Kim DI
• Cho SY
• Kim MH
• Yang KM
• Lee HY
• Han SH

Abstract

The organ weight is one important indicator to discern normal condition from abnormal in forensic pathology as well as in clinical medicine. This study includes organ weights of Korean population, which can be fundamental sources to be analyzed comparatively with other ethnic groups. Seven organs (heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, thyroid gland, and brain), which were harvested from 526 Korean adults (369 males and 157 females) during ordinary postmortem examination, were weighed. All of the organs in males were heavier than those in females. With variables controlled, the organ weights of hearts, spleens, and thyroid glands in males were not different from those in females, and the rest of organs were heavier in males than females. Mean weight of left kidneys was higher than that of right ones (P<0.05). All of the organs but heart became lighter in weight, as one got older. The liver and kidney weights of the middle-aged adults were heavier than those of any other age groups (P<0.05). The weights of all organs except for lungs and cerebrums were more related to body weight than height. These results are considered for useful anatomical data to understand the disease properties in Koreans.

Keyword

Human organs; Organ weight; Korean; Autopsy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Autopsy
Body Weight
Cerebrum
Clinical Medicine
Ethnic Groups
Female
Forensic Pathology
Heart
Humans
Kidney
Liver
Lung
Male
Organ Size
Spleen
Thyroid Gland
Weights and Measures