…While I was browsing the web for information on human organ transplants, I happened across this site, which has informed me about some experimental transplants of “unusual” human organs/strutures.
Among the most notable transplants, were those of:
[ul]
[li]A set of forearms[/li][li]A Uterus (!)[/li][li]A lower jawbone[/li][li]A larynx and “voice box”[/li][/ul]
In addition, I’ve only just learned of Pancreas and Intestine transplants, which, apparently, have reached a point above the purely “experimental” level.
All this is truly amazing to me, and I’m left wondering…what other organs, structures, or tissues have been transplanted into humans, that I haven’t heard about?
A cursory review of just Googol headers reveals research is strong with animal (often pig) donors, and the controversial stem cells and genetic research.
An acquaintance had part of her spinal cord and a vertebra removed due to cancer. These were replaced with a lot of metal and a “donor bone” vertebra. My impression at the time was that this was somewhat of an experimental procedure. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. A year and a half later, the donor bone has disappeared, either destroyed by cancer or absorbed by the body.