physiology

The liver is the second largest organ of the human body comprising 2% of the body weight. The functions of this organ are critical for our body and disruption of them can be the source of many diseases.

Anatomy

The Liver is located in the upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity and is made of a large right lobe and a smaller left lobe. The functional unit of the liver is the lobule, a hexagonal structure made of hepatocytes. Each lobule has a portal triad that is a collection of a hepatic artery, portal vein and a bile duct.

Blood supply

The liver receives a dual blood supply, one from the portal vein which brings deoxygenated blood from other organs, and another from the hepatic artery which brings well-oxygenated blood. The blood flows from the portal vein and the hepatic artery and travels across the lobule to the central vein.

functions

The liver is an important mediator from the gut to the blood and can be both an endocrine and exocrine organ. The liver is responsible for various functions including nutrient metabolism, production of serum proteins such as albumin, detoxification, and digestion.

Bile production

Bile is required for digestion and absorption of lipids. Hepatocytes are responsible for the production of bile which mainly contains water, bile salts, bile acids, cholesterol, and bilirubin among other substances.

Hepatocytes secrete the bile into small channels where it travels into small ducts and then the bigger bile ducts.

The bile is then either stored in the gallbladder or emptied into the small intestine to assist with the digestion of lipids.

Drug metabolism

The liver is involved in the metabolism of various drugs which can result in their activation or deactivation. Additionally, the liver is able to turn drugs water soluble which allows for their section into the bile or blood.

pathophysiology of the liver

Various liver injuries and diseases such as alcoholic liver disease and chronic hepatitis can result in cirrhosis of the liver. These conditions can result in apoptosis of hepatocytes which leads to tissue inflammation, fibrogenesis, and lastly cirrhosis which can impair liver functions.

practice

flashcards

ChatGPT AI was used to create the following flashcards. For easy practice, this AI can be used to create flashcards using the notes from this webpage. Additionally, by asking this AI to generate the flashcards in a format compatible with Anki you can directly import your flashcards into Anki.

AnkiBrain is another AI by the Anki app that can be used to generate summaries and flashcards at an additional cost.

Flashcard 1:

What is the liver's rank in terms of size among human organs?

The liver is the second largest organ of the human body, comprising 2% of the body weight.

Flashcard 2:

Where is the liver located in the abdominal cavity?

The liver is located in the upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity.

Flashcard 3:

What is the functional unit of the liver?

The lobule, a hexagonal structure made of hepatocytes, is the functional unit of the liver.

Flashcard 4:

What components make up the portal triad in the liver lobule?

The portal triad consists of a hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct.

Flashcard 5:

What are the main functions of the liver?

The liver is responsible for various functions including nutrient metabolism, detoxification, and digestion.

Flashcard 6:

What role does bile play in digestion?

Bile is required for the digestion and absorption of lipids.

Flashcard 7:

What substances are mainly found in bile?

Bile mainly contains water, bile salts, bile acids, cholesterol, and bilirubin among other substances.

Flashcard 8:

Where is bile stored before being emptied into the duodenum?

Bile is stored in the gallbladder before being emptied into the duodenum to assist with the digestion of lipids.

Flashcard 9:

What is the liver's role in drug metabolism?

The liver is involved in the metabolism of various drugs, which can result in their activation or deactivation.

Flashcard 10:

How does the liver aid in drug excretion?

The liver is able to turn drugs water-soluble, allowing for their secretion into the bile or blood.

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