Which organ is primarily responsible for detoxifying harmful substances?

The liver is the organ primarily responsible for detoxifying harmful substances in the body. It performs this essential function by metabolizing and breaking down toxins, drugs, and waste products into less harmful substances that can be easily excreted. The liver also produces bile, which is important for digestion and helps in removing waste. Its unique blood supply, which includes both arterial and portal circulation, allows it to filter and process blood from the digestive tract, efficiently removing toxins before they can affect the rest of the body.

The spleen plays a role in filtering blood and recycling iron from red blood cells but is not primarily focused on detoxification. The kidneys filter waste from the blood and manage fluid balance, but their main role is not detoxification in the same way the liver performs. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and regulates blood sugar but does not have a significant role in detoxifying harmful substances. Thus, the liver’s central role in metabolism and detoxification makes it the correct answer in this context.