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What The Function Of Liver In Human Body

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Internal Organs And Their Functions

The liver, the body’s largest gland, is a spongy mass composed of wedge-shaped lobes that has many metabolic and secretory functions. The liver secretes bile, a digestive fluid; metabolizes proteins, carbohydrates and fats; stores glycogen, vitamins and other substances; synthesizes blood clotting factors; removes waste and toxic substances from the blood; regulates blood volume; and destroys old red blood cells.

Liver tissue consists of a mass of cells tunneled by bile ducts and blood vessels. Hepatic cells make up approximately 60 percent of tissue and perform more metabolic functions than any other cell group in the body. A second group of cells, called Kupffer cells, line the smallest channels of the liver’s vascular system and play a role in blood formation, antibody production, and digestion of foreign particles and cellular debris.

Each day, the liver secretes approximately 800 to 1,000 ml (about 1 liter) of bile, which contains bile salts necessary for the digestion of dietary fats. Bile is also the means of excretion of some metabolic waste products, drugs and toxic substances. From the liver, a system of ducts carries bile to the common bile duct, which empties into the duodenum of the small intestine and connects to the gallbladder, where bile is concentrated and stored. The presence of fat in the duodenum stimulates the flow of bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine. Aged (worn out) red blood cells are destroyed in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Bilirubin pigment, formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin, is released into the bile, creating its characteristic greenish-orange color, and is eliminated from the body through the intestines.

Liver cells synthesize a number of enzymes. As blood flows towards the liver through both the portal vein and the hepatic artery, cells and enzymes are filtered out. Nutrients entering the liver from the intestine are converted into forms that body cells can use or are stored for future use. Fats are converted into fatty acids and then into carbohydrates or ketone bodies and are transported to the tissues through the blood and further metabolized. Sugars are converted into glycogen, which is stored in the liver until needed for energy production; It is then converted back into glucose and released into the bloodstream. The liver produces blood serum proteins, including albumin and various clotting factors, and supplies them to the blood. The liver also metabolizes nitrogenous waste products and detoxifies toxic substances, preparing them for excretion through urine or feces.

Anatomy Of The Liver, Gallbladder And Biliary System Stock Photo

A common symptom of liver dysfunction is jaundice, which is yellowing of the eyes and skin caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice can result from abnormally high levels of red blood cell destruction (hemolytic jaundice), defective uptake or transport of bilirubin by hepatic cells (hepatocellular jaundice), or a blockage in the bile duct system (obstructive jaundice). Failure of liver cells to function can be caused by hepatitis, cirrhosis, tumors, vascular occlusion, or poisoning. Symptoms may include weakness, low blood pressure, easy bruising and bleeding, chills, and fluid buildup in the abdomen. Blood tests can reveal abnormal levels of bilirubin, cholesterol, serum proteins, urea, ammonia, and various enzymes. A specific diagnosis of liver problem can be made by performing a needle biopsy.

The liver is subject to a variety of other disorders and diseases. Abscesses can be caused by acute appendicitis; Those that occur in the bile ducts may result from gallstones or follow surgery. The parasite that causes amoebic dysentery in tropical regions can also cause liver abscesses. Various other parasites common in different parts of the world also infect the liver. Liver cancer is common and often occurs as secondary tumors originating elsewhere in the body. Glycogen storage diseases, a group of inherited disorders, cause glycogen accumulation in the liver and insufficient glucose supply in the blood. Some medications can damage the liver and cause jaundice. Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. and Ashley Williams — Updated March 27, 2023

Liver damage typically has four stages, beginning with inflammation and progressing to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease (ESLD).

Damage to your liver can accumulate throughout the various stages of liver disease. Each stage has a cumulative effect on your liver’s ability to function properly.

What Is Inflamed Liver

Damage from liver disease can occur in several stages. With each stage, your liver’s ability to function becomes increasingly affected.

In this early stage, your liver becomes enlarged or inflamed. Many people with liver inflammation do not have symptoms. If inflammation continues, permanent liver damage may occur.

The scar tissue formed at this stage replaces healthy liver tissue, but cannot perform the same functions. This can start to affect your liver’s ability to function at its best.

In cirrhosis, severe liver scarring occurs, leading to the accumulation of scar tissue. Because there is not enough healthy liver tissue, it becomes very difficult for your liver to function properly.

Living Through The Liver: Functions Of The Body’s Finest Filter

You may begin to experience symptoms of liver disease even though symptoms may not be present in the earlier stages.

ESLD is associated with complications such as ascites (a type of abdominal swelling) and hepatic encephalopathy (decreased brain function). The only treatment that can reverse ESLD is liver transplantation.

Liver failure is when your liver doesn’t work well enough to perform many of its vital functions, such as clearing your blood of toxic substances and producing bile to help you digest food.

Liver failure may occur due to liver damage caused by liver disease. However, it is not inevitable that liver damage and disease will lead to liver failure.

Liver And Gallbladder: Anatomy, Location And Functions

Acute liver failure occurs rapidly and often occurs in people with no preexisting liver disease. Chronic liver failure occurs due to liver damage that develops slowly over time.

The cause of liver failure may depend on whether the liver failure is acute or chronic. In some cases, the exact cause of acute liver failure may not be known. Chronic liver failure is associated with liver damage or disease.

Inflammation and fibrosis, the earliest stages of liver damage or disease, rarely cause visible symptoms. Symptoms are associated with more advanced stages.

They may be present if you have a condition such as decompensated cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis C, or advanced chronic liver failure.

Detailed Guide On Liver Cirrhosis

Acute liver failure is always a medical emergency. If you experience symptoms consistent with acute liver failure, seek immediate medical attention.

To diagnose liver problems, the doctor will start by taking your medical history and performing a physical examination.

Acute liver failure is often treated in a hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). You will receive supportive care to help stabilize your condition and manage possible complications during treatment and recovery.

If a healthcare professional suspects a drug overdose or reaction, he or she may give you medications to reverse the effects. The doctor may also recommend a liver transplant to some people with acute liver failure.

Solution: Liver: Structure And Function

Damage from the inflammation and fibrosis stages of liver failure can be reversed and healed over time if properly detected and treated early, according to the American Liver Foundation advocacy group.

If you have ESLD, you may need a liver transplant. During the transplant, the surgeon removes the diseased liver and replaces it with a liver from a healthy donor.

You can help prevent liver damage, disease, and failure by making lifestyle changes that keep your liver happy and healthy. Here are some tips to improve liver health:

If you are in the early stages of liver damage or disease, you can usually recover over time with appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes.

Portal Vein: Anatomy, Location & Function

Liver failure, whether acute or chronic, can be a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

People diagnosed with liver disease are often monitored throughout their lives to make sure their condition does not worsen or cause further liver damage. If you have concerns about liver health or liver failure, talk to a doctor.

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Our experts constantly monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles as new information becomes available. World Liver Day 2023: Liver is a vital organ of the human body. It performs various functions necessary for survival. Life is not possible without the liver. This article discusses some important and unknown facts about the liver that will help us understand its functioning.

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