What Organs Are on the Left Side of Your Body: 9 Vital Organs

It pays to know what organs are on the left side of the body and how they work. This will help you understand their specific function in keeping your body healthy.

Below is a short guide to the major organs located on your body’s left side.

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What Organs Are on the Left Side of Your Body

Adrenal Glands

These glands are triangular-shaped organs that sit at the upper part of your kidneys. They are also identified as suprarenal glands and they produce vital hormones.

These hormones function by helping regulate your blood pressure, immune system, and metabolism. They also help regulate stress response as well as other crucial body functions.

Your adrenal glands are controlled by the pituitary gland. This gland also regulates the endocrine system. Your pituitary gland controls your adrenal glands.

The pituitary regulates your endocrine system.

Two Parts of the Adrenal Gland:

• Adrenal Cortex

This is the outer section of the adrenal gland. It manufactures aldosterone and cortisol.

• Adrenal Medulla

This is the inner section of the adrenal gland. It manufactures hormones responsible for regulating the stress response.

Heart

The heart is a huge muscle located in the middle of the circulatory system. It sits slightly on the left side of your breastbone.

About the size of a human fist, the heart functions as the main pump of your body. Its main task is to pump enough blood into your system.

Through a system of blood vessels, oxygen and nutrients are delivered to your organs. The average size of an adult heart is five inches in length, 3.5 inches in width, and 2.5 inches in depth.

Four Main Chambers of the Heart:

• Right Atrium
• Left Atrium
• Right Ventricle
• Left Ventricle

Note: The efficiency of your heart is measured through blood pressure.

Left Lung

Both of our lungs are composed of lobes. Compared to the right lung though which has three, the left lung has only two lobes.

These lobes are the same as balloons that are filled with tissues like sponges. They get air coming from their respective branches connected to the bronchial tree.

The asymmetrical build of the lungs provides space for the heart. Despite the difference in the number of lobes, each lung performs the same function.

These two main functions of the lungs are:

• Providing oxygen into our bloodstream
• Eliminating carbon dioxide

Three Main Parts of The Lungs:

• Alveoli
• Bronchi
• Bronchiole tubes

Note: Our lungs are equipped with self-cleaning apparatus. Shaped like brushes, these remove mucus as well as other dangerous substances.

Spleen

Located at the upper left part of your abdomen, the spleen is part of the lymphatic system. Think of it as your body’s natural filter.

It filters your blood by recycling red blood cells and dispersing white blood cells. It is purplish and just about the size of a human fist.

Aside from producing substances that heal, the main functions of a spleen are:

• Combats germs that invade the blood
• Controls blood cell levels
• Filters the blood
• Removes damaged blood cells

Note: Your body could function without a spleen. In case it is removed, the lymph nodes and the liver are capable of taking over its basic functions.

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Left Kidney

Human kidneys are about the size of your fist and they are shaped like beans. You can find them sitting just below the ribcage.

Your left kidney though is slightly larger and located a bit higher than your right one. Despite their varied location, both have the same function.

Kidneys are your body’s natural filtration system. As part of the human urinary system, they remove the waste out of your system.

Four Main Functions of the Kidneys:

• It produces hormones that regulate blood pressure.
• It balances the salt and mineral content in your body.
• It produces hormones that create red blood cells.
• It filters waste away from your body.

Stomach

A J-shaped organ, the stomach handles digesting food in your body. This is possible through its production of acids and special enzymes.

The enzymes create a chemical reaction while the acids produce digestive juices. The combination of these substances helps break down food.

Through this, your stomach help digested food to pass through the small intestine. Without the stomach, your body will not be properly nourished.

Note: The stomach is lined with special ridges that expand allowing it to hold up to 1.5 gallons of liquid and food.

Pancreas

This gland is about 6 to 10 inches in length. It is located behind and below the stomach and its top section is part of the small intestine.

The pancreas has a vital role in digestion. It produces insulin as well as a digestive liquid that helps the digestive system. The exocrine pancreas handles creating these digestive juices.

The endocrine pancreas produces the hormone called insulin. The major function of the pancreas is the production of enzymes for digestion.

These enzymes help process fat, protein, and starch. The pancreas also produced glucagon. This hormone, like insulin, helps regulate your body’s blood sugar level.

Liver’s Left Lobe

A huge percentage of your liver is located on your body’s right side. Only a small percentage of your liver which is the lobe sits on the left.

This lobe sits in front and above your stomach and just right below the diaphragm. In its entirety, the human liver is the size of a football.

Weighing about three pounds on average, the liver is a hardworking body organ. The major functions of the liver are:

• It generates energy.
• It discards harmful toxins from the body.
• It converts substances.
• It helps regulate metabolic functions.
• It manages blood chemical levels.
• It helps break down fats, protein, and carbohydrates.
• It helps store vitamins and minerals.

Descending Colon

The colon is also referred to as the large intestine. It is the part of your digestive system crucial in water absorption.

It absorbs water from the food residue that the stomach fails to digest. These materials go through the descending colon and the rectum as waste.

Your descending colon functions as a storage of waste in your body. It stores waste until the movement of your bowels removes the waste.

Do you want to know more about the left side of your body and its telling signs about your health? Check out this informative vid by Dr. Eric Berg DC:

Again, getting familiar with what organs are on the left side of your body is important. Knowing how your body works, is crucial in leading a holistic life. Stay healthy and live well!

Do you have some killer tips for maintaining a healthier body? We would like to know more about these in the comment section below!

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