Liver: Anatomy and Functions

Anatomy of the liver

Anatomy of the liver and biliary system with blood vessels

The liver is located in the upper right-mitt portion of the intestinal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on tiptop of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.

Shaped like a cone, the liver is a dark crimson-dark-brown organ that weighs about 3 pounds.

There are 2 singled-out sources that supply blood to the liver, including the following:

  • Oxygenated blood flows in from the hepatic artery

  • Nutrient-rich blood flows in from the hepatic portal vein

The liver holds well-nigh 1 pint (13%) of the body's claret supply at any given moment. The liver consists of 2 main lobes. Both are made up of 8 segments that consist of one,000 lobules (small lobes). These lobules are connected to minor ducts (tubes) that connect with larger ducts to form the mutual hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct transports the bile made by the liver cells to the gallbladder and duodenum (the outset part of the small intestine) via the common bile duct.

Functions of the liver

The liver regulates nearly chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry abroad waste matter products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks downward, balances, and creates the nutrients and also metabolizes drugs into forms that are easier to utilise for the rest of the body or that are nontoxic. More than 500 vital functions have been identified with the liver. Some of the more well-known functions include the post-obit:

  • Production of bile, which helps carry abroad waste matter and intermission down fats in the pocket-size intestine during digestion

  • Production of certain proteins for claret plasma

  • Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help bear fats through the body

  • Conversion of excess glucose into glycogen for storage (glycogen tin after be converted back to glucose for energy) and to balance and make glucose equally needed

  • Regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which grade the building blocks of proteins

  • Processing of hemoglobin for use of its fe content (the liver stores iron)

  • Conversion of poisonous ammonia to urea (urea is an finish production of poly peptide metabolism and is excreted in the urine)

  • Clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances

  • Regulating claret clotting

  • Resisting infections by making immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream

  • Clearance of bilirubin, also from red blood cells. If there is an accumulation of bilirubin, the peel and eyes plough yellow.

When the liver has broken downwards harmful substances, its by-products are excreted into the bile or claret. Bile past-products enter the intestine and exit the trunk in the form of feces. Blood past-products are filtered out by the kidneys, and leave the body in the form of urine.