target organ
- noun
- /ˈtɑrɡɪt ˈɔrɡən/
- Specialized
:
órgano objetivo
- In addition to heart tissue, maternal cells were seen in other organs, including the NLS target organs, skin and liver, and organs unknown to be targets: spleen, pancreas, and thymus.
- target organs include the liver
- target organ damage
- target organ effect
Examples
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We identified maternal cells in the major target organs of NLS: the heart, including the atrioventricular node, and the liver.
Academic text (2003) -
The lung is the most vulnerable target organ among the multiple organ injuries associated with sepsis, and acute lung injury (ALI) is also one of the important causes of sepsis-associated mortality, due to its early occurrence and high incidence rate (1).
Academic text (2018) -
Both conditions are known to be associated with target organ damage (White, 2007).
Academic text (2016) -
Based on the results from animal studies, expected target organs include the liver, thyroid, lungs, skin, and soft tissues.
Academic text (1993) -
Target organ damage.
Academic text (2012) -
In the liver, another target organ for NLS, fewer maternal cells were seen.
Academic text (2003) -
Mercury vapor and organic mercury are the two most important forms of mercury in terms of toxic effects, their major target organ being the central nervous system.
Academic text (2002) -
Urgency is characterized by someone being asymptomatic and having a systolic blood pressure of 180 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 110 mmHg or higher, without evidence of target organ damage.
Academic text (2016) -
The lungs are often considered the primary target organ in cases of severe asthma attacks.
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In patients with diabetes, the eyes are a common target organ affected by high blood sugar levels.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an organ specifically affected by a treatment' is directly derivable from combining 'target' (an intended object/aim) with 'organ' (a body part that performs a function). Although used in medical contexts, the compositional logic is straightforward and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words should infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Target organ comes from the simple image of a target (a bull's-eye) placed on a body organ, showing where medicine or treatment is aimed. So it means the organ that will 'receive the treatment'.
