The liver is a multifunctional accessory organ of the gastrointestinal tract. It weighs about 1500 grams which is roughly 3.3 lbs. It is inferior to the diaphragm and located in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity, and it partially extends to the upper left quadrant. The liver has four lobes and performs over 500 various functions.
Some functions include:
Cleans the blood
Regulates balance of thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones
Produces bile to break down fats
Converts proteins and sugars into usable nutrients
Generates immune factors and removes bacteria from blood
Converts toxins to body waste products to be eliminated
Metabolizes pharmaceutical/recreational drugs
Eliminates toxins from the bloodstream
Stores vitamins and minerals to be released when needed
Two-thirds of the blood supply is through the hepatic portal vein. The remainder is from the hepatic artery.
Few Fun Facts:
Bigger than your brain
Regenerates itself
Makes blood
Metabolizes drugs
Largest internal organ
Vital organ & a gland
One cranial nerve that innervates the liver is the vagus nerve. This nerve is involved in the parasympathetic nervous system.
The liver is essential for life. We cannot live without it. Therefore we should take care of it if we want to live a long, vital, and healthy life.
Roles of the liver include:
Metabolic
Exocrine
Endocrine
Detoxification
Protein synthesis
Biochemical production
Nutrient absorption
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