Which organ is primarily responsible for protecting the body from toxins?

The organ primarily responsible for protecting the body from toxins is the liver. The liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying substances that enter the body, processing chemicals, and metabolizing drugs. It filters blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body, effectively removing potentially harmful compounds. The liver converts toxic substances into harmless materials or ensures they are excreted from the body safely.

While the skin does offer some form of protection against toxins and serves as a barrier to external elements, it is primarily an organ of defense and does not possess the same detoxifying functions that the liver does. The heart's role is to pump blood and supply the body with nutrients, while the kidneys primarily filter blood to produce urine and eliminate waste but do not detoxify in the same manner as the liver. Thus, the liver's unique functions make it the primary organ for protecting the body from toxins.