Organ (biology)
collection of tissues with similar functions
In a multicellular organism, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function. In the hierarchy of life, an organ lies between tissue and an organ system. Tissues are formed from same type cells to act together in a function. Tissues of different types combine to form an organ which has a specific function. The intestinal wall, for example, is formed by epithelial tissue and smooth muscle tissue. Two or more organs working together in the execution of a specific body function form an organ system, also called a biological system or body system.
An organ's tissues are broadly classified into parenchyma, the functional tissue, and stroma, the structural tissue with supportive, connective, or ancillary functions. For example, the gland tissue that produces hormones is the parenchyma, while the stroma includes the nerves that innervate the parenchyma, the blood vessels that oxygenate and nourish it and remove metabolic wastes, and the connective tissues that provide structure, placement, and anchoring. The primary tissues that form an organ generally have common embryologic origins, often arising from the same germ layer. Organs are present in most multicellular organisms.
The public source identifies “Organ (biology)” as collection of tissues with similar functions. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Organ, biology and tissues.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Organ (biology)”, the useful work is to connect “collection of tissues with similar functions” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
Vocabulary and entity names are the principal evidence signals here, because they determine the precision of every later search. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 20, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q712378. The Library of Congress control number is sh85095590. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 1 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank.
The absence of detail may reflect summary conventions rather than a lack of surviving documentation. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Organ (biology)”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Organ (biology) primary sources, Organ (biology) archive and Organ research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Organ (biology)”?
- Which institution is responsible for the underlying evidence?
- What terminology or title could unlock a more precise catalogue search?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Organ (biology)” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.