About the Liver. . .By: Olivia Kirven

FOCUS!

• What makes the liver so important?

• How is the liver related to the digestive process?

Location

• On the right side of the abdomen

• Behind the lower ribs• Inferior to the lungs• It weighs about 3

pounds and is roughly the size of a football

Anatomy• Divided into two lobes• The falciform ligament divides

the liver into a left and right lobe

• Tiny liver lobules make up liver tissue

• Each lobule has a central vein so blood and bile nourish the hepatocytes in the nutrients, chemicals, and toxins they metabolize

Physiology

• Produces proteins needed for normal blood clotting

• Converts food into nutrients and stored energy

• Detoxifies substances that are harmful to the body

• Processes the medications we take

• Stores vitamins, minerals and sugars

• Produces bile, essential for the digestion of fats

Fun Facts• The largest organ in the body and one

of the most complex• Performs over 400 functions everyday

to keep the body healthy• Prefixes associated with the liver:

– Hepar, Hepat

• There is no artificial organ or device capable of emulating all the functions of the liver – CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT

Cirrhosis • Cirrhosis refers to the

replacement of normal liver tissue with non-living scar tissue

• The process begins with inflammation that is caused by long-term liver disease– Hepatitis C, B, D – Excess fat in the liver– Bile duct disease– Alcohol

• Not enough functioning tissue to perform its critically important roles

Chronic Alcoholism

• The most common cause of cirrhosis in the United States is Chronic Alcoholism

• 40 % of the 26,000 people who die from cirrhosis each year have a history of alcohol abuse

• The liver breaks down alcohol into toxic chemicals

• Which triggers the inflammation that leads to cirrhosis

• Usually occurs after 10 to 15 years of heavy drinking

Symptoms• Loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and vomiting,

weight loss • Jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and

whites of the eyes • Itching, caused by buildup of bile products in the

skin • Fluid buildup and painful swelling of the legs

(edema) and abdomen (ascites) • Confusion and other mental changes, leading to

coma • Swelling or rupture of veins in the lower end of the

esophagus from increased blood pressure in the vessels leading to the liver

Diagnosis andTreatment

• Based on medical history• Request a biopsy on a sample of your

liver tissue• Doctor will prescribe medication

– Stop drinking alcohol– Reduce salt intake to prevent fluid build up– Get immunized against Hepatitis A and B

• A liver transplant is necessary• Kills 25,000 people per year

Regeneration

• The only internal human organ capable of natural regeneration of lost tissue

• As little as 25% of a liver can regenerate into a whole liver

Transplant

• Adult-to-adult liver transplantation usually uses the donor's right hepatic lobe which amounts to 60% of the liver

• Both the donor and recipient end up with normal liver function if all goes well

• Due to the ability of the liver to regenerate

• More complicated surgury on the donor than on the recipiant

Liver as Food• Mammal and bird livers are popular dishes• Can be baked, boiled, broiled, fried (often

served as liver and onions) or eaten raw (liver sashimi)

• But is most commonly made into spreads or sausages such as Braunschwiger and Liverwurst

• Animal livers are rich in iron and vitamin A • Limit of 50 g of raw pork liver • Cod liver in another

option for obtaining vitamin A

Bibliography

• "Liver." Mama's Health. 25/04/2006. 20 Apr 2009 <http://www.mamashealth.com/organs/liver.asp>.

• "Definition of Liver." MedicineNet. 12/10/2008. 20 Apr 2009 <http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4179>.

• "Cirrhosis." Digestive Diseases Home. 08/07/2007. 20 Apr 2009 <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/>.