Lesson 3 - Main Functions of the Organs - The Liver

Describe the functions of the liver

Identify the parts of the liver.

Practice healthy behaviors to keep the liver healthy.

What Does The Liver Do? | Liver Functions | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz (youtube.com) 

The Lungs

How the Lungs Work

Our chest contains a pair of lungs, which are made up of sections called lobes. One lung is located on the left side of the chest and the other lung is on the right side of the chest. Because they are soft, the lungs are protected by the ribcage.

The main function of the lungs is to combine oxygen (O2) with the blood and to separate carbon dioxide (CO2) from the blood. The gas that aids in the release of energy to the body is oxygen. As energy is released, waste from the body/carbon dioxide is also released.

How We Breathe

Different muscles are involved in the breathing process. The diaphragm is known as the largest muscle, which is also the most efficient for breathing. It is located under the lungs and it separates the lungs from the other internal organs such as the liver, the stomach, the intestines, etc. The process of inhalation or inspiration takes place as the diaphragm flattens or moves downward, while the ribs flare in an outward direction. The lungs expand, while the air is drawn in. Another process, exhalation or expiration, happens when the diaphragm relaxes. It happens when the air leaves and the lungs

• Gallbladder:

Description: While not a part of the liver, the gallbladder is closely associated with it. It stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver until it is needed for digestion.

• Inferior Vena Cava:

The inferior vena cava is like a big, important road in our body. it helps the liver do its job. Imagine the liver as a busy factory that works hard to clean the blood and make sure everything is in order. Now, think of the inferior vena cava as a highway that brings used blood from the lower part of our body back to the liver factory.
So, the inferior vena cava delivers the used blood to the liver, and once it reaches there, the liver's amazing workers, called hepatocytes, get to work. They clean the blood, remove any waste, and make sure everything is just right. 

• Hepatic Artery:

Description: The hepatic artery is another road, bringing fresh, oxygen-rich blood to the liver so that it stays healthy and can do its important jobs.
This is a special blood vessel that specifically carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the liver. 

Role in the Liver: The liver is like a busy factory, carrying out essential tasks such as processing nutrients, detoxifying the blood, and producing important proteins. Just like any other busy place, the liver needs a fresh supply of oxygen to keep working well.

Oxygen Delivery: The hepatic artery acts like a delivery system, bringing oxygen-rich blood to the liver. This oxygen is like the liver's "fuel" or "energy" that it uses to power all its functions.

Supporting Liver Functions: With a good supply of oxygen from the hepatic artery, the liver can effectively perform tasks like cleaning the blood, breaking down food, and making sure the body stays healthy.

• Common Bile Duct

The common bile duct is not technically a part of the liver; instead, it is a duct that is associated with the liver and plays a crucial role in the digestive process. Here's a simple explanation:

Imagine your liver as a chef in a kitchen, and the common bile duct is like a special pipe or tube that the chef uses to deliver an important ingredient for digestion.

The liver produces a greenish-yellow liquid called bile, which helps break down the fat in the food you eat. This bile is like the chef's secret sauce for making digestion easier. Now, the common bile duct is the way the liver sends this special sauce down to the small intestine, where most of the digestion happens.

So, in simple terms, the common bile duct is like the delivery system for the liver's special sauce (bile). It ensures that this important ingredient reaches the right place in the digestive system, helping your body absorb all the good stuff from the food you eat.

• Portal Vein

What it Carries: The portal vein carries blood from the stomach, intestines, and other digestive organs. This blood is full of nutrients that your body has absorbed from the food you eat.

Why it's Important: Just like a factory needs raw materials to make its products, the liver needs these nutrients to do its job. The liver is like a multitasking worker, processing these nutrients, making sure they're distributed properly, and cleaning the blood.

Filtering and Processing: When the blood from the portal vein reaches the liver, it's like delivering a truckload of ingredients. The liver then works hard to filter and process this blood, making sure everything is in balance and ready to be used by the body.

Values - Appreciation of the function of the liver in our everyday living.

The learners are able to give importance about the function of the liver.

"LIVER STORY BOOK"

Using a short bond paper, fold it into crosswise (like a book). Inside, list some ways on how to keep your liver healthy. 

Please submit this next week, January 23, 2024.