target organ

target organ

n.

A tissue or organ that is affected by a specific hormone.

---

target organ,

1 an organ intended to receive a therapeutic dose of irradiation, such as the kidney when high-energy x-rays or gamma rays are beamed to the renal area for the treatment of a tumor.

2 an organ intended to receive the greatest concentration of a diagnostic radioactive tracer, such as the liver, which accumulates 99Tc sulfur colloid when it is injected intravenously to detect hepatic lesions.

3 an organ most affected by a specific hormone, such as the thyroid gland, which is the target organ of thyroid stimulating hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.

---

target organ,

n the organ or body part whose activity levels demonstrate change in the course of biofeedback.

---

target,

n the small tungsten block, embedded in the face of the anode, that is bombarded by electrons from the cathode in a radiographic tube.

target cell,

n 1. also called
leptocyte, an abnormal red blood cell characterized by a densely stained center surrounded by a pale, unstained ring that is encircled by a dark, irregular band. 2. a cell having a specific receptor that reacts with a specific hormone, antigen, antibody, antibiotic, sensitized T cell, or other substance.

target group,

n a set of persons who serve as the focal point for a particular program or service. This is a smaller sample than the target population.

target organ,

n 1. an organ intended to receive a therapeutic dose of irradiation.
2. an organ intended to receive the greatest concentration of a diagnostic radioactive tracer.

target population,

n all individuals belonging to a certain group who have a distinct set of qualities.

target symptoms,

n.pl symptoms of an illness that are most likely to respond to a specific treatment.

target-film distance (TFD),

n See distance, target-film; source-film distance.

target-object distance (TOD),

n See source-object distance.

---

organ

a somewhat independent body part that performs a specific function or functions.

---

organ of Corti

the organ lying against the basilar membrane in the cochlear duct, containing special sensory receptors for hearing, and consisting of neuroepithelial hair cells and several types of supporting cells.

effector organ

a muscle or gland that contracts or secretes, respectively, in direct response to nerve impulses.

enamel organ

see enamel organ.

female reproductive organ

paired ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina and vulva.

genital organ

see penis, vulva, etc.

Golgi tendon organ

see golgi tendon organ.

gustatory organ

taste bud.

gustus organ

see taste bud.

organ of Jacobson

see vomeronasal organ (below).

male reproductive organ

paired testes, gonadal duct systems (epididymis, ductus deferens), accessory glands, urethra, penis, prepuce and scrotum.

ocular organ

see eye.

olfactory organ

the organ of smell in the nasal mucosa consisting of specialized cells with a tuft of very fine processes protruding into the nasal cavity. Internally they communicate with the olfactory nerves which pass through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone to synapse with cells in the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb of the brain.

reproductive o's

those concerned with reproduction. See also penis, vulva, etc.

sense o's, sensory o's

organs that receive stimuli that give rise to sensations, i.e. organs that translate certain forms of energy into nerve impulses which are perceived as special sensations.

solid organ

any organ which does not contain a cavity or lumen and which is not gaseous; that is an organ which consists of parenchyma and stroma, the latter often arranged as trabeculae or surrounding groups of parenchymatous cells to provide support, e.g. liver, kidney.

spiral organ

organ of Corti.

spiral organ of the inner ear

the cochlea.

subfornical organ

a small tubercle in the floor of the third ventricle.

target organ

the organ affected by a particular hormone.

tubular organ

an organ characterized by the presence of a lumen and four concentric tunics in its wall; centrifugally the layers are mucosal, submucosal, muscular and adventitia-serosal.

urinary organ's

see kidney, ureter, urethra, urinary bladder.

vascular organ of the lamina terminalis

in the wall of the third ventricle of the brain.

vestibulocochlear organ

the cochlear duct, semicircular canals, utricle and saccule that occupy the osseous labyrinth.

vestigial organ

an undeveloped organ that, in the embryo or in some remote ancestor, was well developed and functional.

vomeronasal organ

part of the olfactory sense system that consists of a pair of fleshy tubes found on the floor of the nasal cavity on either side of the nasal septum, supported by cartilage sleeve. Probably concerned with scenting and aftersmell of food.

---

target organ

Endocrinology A specific organ that a particular hormone affects