The Liver:
Anatomy of the liver:
The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. Shaped like a cone, the liver is a dark reddish-brown organ that weighs about 3 pounds. The liver is the largest gland in the body.
There are two distinct sources that supply blood to the liver, including the following:
- Oxygenated blood from the hepatic artery
- Nutrient-rich blood from the hepatic portal vein
The liver holds about one pint, approximately 13 percent, of the body's blood supply at any given moment. The liver consists of two main lobes, both of which are made up of thousands of lobules. These lobules are connected to small ducts that connect with larger ducts that form the hepatic duct. The hepatic duct transports the bile produced by the liver cells to the gallbladder and duodenum.
Functions of the liver:
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile, which helps carry away waste products from the liver. All of the blood that leaves the stomach and intestines and then passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down the nutrients and chemicals into forms that are easier for the rest of the body to use. More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver. Some of the more well-known functions include the following:
- The production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion
- The production of certain proteins for blood plasma
- The regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins
- The processing of hemoglobin for use of its iron content (the liver stores iron)
- The conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea (urea is an end product of protein metabolism and is excreted in the urine)
- The conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage (glycogen can later be converted back to glucose for energy)
- Clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances
- The regulating of blood to avoid clotting
- Resisting infections by producing immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream
- The production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body
Once the liver has broken down harmful substances, its by-products are excreted into the bile or blood. Bile by-products enter the intestine and ultimately leave the body in the form of feces, while blood by-products are filtered out by the kidneys, and leave the body in the form of urine.
Common disorders of the liver:
| University of Missouri Health Care | This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. |
