Liver: Its Functions & Disorders

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The Liver• It is the second largest organ

in the human body. • In the human it is located in

the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, below the diaphragm.

• The liver is a reddish brown triangular organ with four lobes of unequal size and shape.

• A human liver normally weighs 1.44–1.66 kg .• During childhood At birth the liver comprises roughly 4% of body weight and is at average 120g. Over the course of development it will increase to 1.4–1.6 kg but will only take up 2.5–3.5% of body weight.• Normally you can't feel the liver, because it's protected by the rib cage.The liver has two large sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gallbladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food.

Location of liver in body

Functions of liver

The liver has a wide range of functions, including•  Detoxification of various metabolites,•  Protein synthesis • The production of biochemicals necessary for digestion.• Temporary nutrient storage (glucose-glycogen)•   Glycogen storage• decomposition of red blood cells• plasma protein synthesis•  hormone production• Remove toxins from blood • Remove old/damaged RBC’s• Storage of Nutrients• Bile Secretion• Synthesis of cholesterol

• The liver performs several roles in carbohydrate metabolismGluconeogenesis (the synthesis of glucose from certain amino acids, lactate or glycerol)Glycogenolysis (the breakdown of glycogen into glucose)Glycogenesis (the formation of glycogen from glucose)

• The liver also performs several roles in lipid metabolismCholesterol synthesisLipogenesis, the production of triglycerides (fats)A bulk of the lipoproteins are synthesized in the liver

• The liver converts ammonia to urea (urea cycle)

The liver's main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions.

The liver is the only human organ that has the remarkable property of self-regeneration.

If a part of the liver is removed, the remaining parts can grow back to its original size and shape.

Liver regeneration

Liver in DigestionIn the human digestive system, the process of digestion has many stages, the first of which starts in the mouth (oral cavity). Digestion involves the breakdown of food into smaller and smaller components which can be absorbed and assimilated into the body

The liver is the largest solid organ inside the body and plays a very important role in the process of digestion by physically regulating it and ensuring release of post digestive nutrients into the system. Liver

The liver and bile

•Bile is a bitter-to-taste fluid that is produced in the liver. • It plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of lipids and also fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. •Bile also serves as a carrier for cholesterol to be excreted. Bile is alkaline in nature and it neutralizes excessive stomach acids before the food enters the ileum. Bile is antibacterial in nature and kills bacteria that may be present in food.

The first-pass effect  is a phenomenon of drug metabolism whereby the concentration of a drug is greatly reduced before it reaches the systemic circulation. It is the fraction of lost drug during the process of absorption which is generally related to the liver and gut wall. After a drug is swallowed, it is absorbed by the digestive system and enters the hepatic portal system. It is carried through the portal vein into the liver before it reaches the rest of the body. The liver metabolizes many drugs, sometimes to such an extent that only a small amount of active drug emerges from the liver to the rest of the circulatory system.

First Pass Effect

The liver to detoxify

The liver is also a major organ for detoxification along with the kidneys. It breaks down and removes matter that is generated during nutrient metabolism and that enters the body in the form of medicine, cigarette smoke, environmental toxins, etc.The liver also serves as a natural filter which helps breakdown ammonia, one of the byproducts of the digestion of proteins. The liver also helps with the breakdown of old red blood cells.

Disorders of LiverBecause of its strategic location and multidimensional functions, the liver is also prone to many diseases.

•Hepatitis •Alcoholic liver dieses Cirrhosis Fatty liver•Liver cancer•Liver failure•Gallstones•Hemochromatosis•Wilsons dieses

Skin color of Hemochromatosis

•Pale stools •Dark urine •Jaundice •Swelling of the abdomen•Excessive fatigue•Bruising and easy bleeding•Pain in the upper right quadrant

Symptoms of liver damage

The LiverYOUR LIVER is one of your most important organs — you cannot live without it. The liver is like a processing plant for the body. Raw materials — such as nutrients, alcohol, herbs and drugs — are absorbed from the gut to the liver where they are processed, transformed, stored, detoxified and transported to the rest of the body. The liver works hard to keep your cells nourished, to process medications that fight HIV and other infections, and to detoxify hazardous substances. In order to keep working at its best, your liver needs to be well nourished and protected from damage.

The following tips can help you keep your liver in good working order:

1.   Try to avoid alcohol altogether if you have liver disease (hepatitis). 2.    Make sure that you are vaccinated against hepatitis A and B3.    Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. 4.    Maintain generous stores of lean body mass (muscle tissue). 5.    Get enough protein. 6.  Choose more whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables 7.    Eat a moderate amount of dietary fat and emphasize “good” fats 8.   Take a multivitamin to prevent deficiencies9.    Do not take iron supplements unless prescribed by your doctor 10.    Supply extra antioxidants to the body. 11.    Herbal therapies, such as milk thistle (silymarin), have been widely

used to treat the liver and other health problems

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