Functions of Liver

Liver And Its Parts

Liver

Liver is the main and most active organ of human body which is situated on the right side at the top of stomach below the diaphragm.

It is dark-reddish brown organ which weighs around 3 pounds. Liver can regenerate itself in humans.

Parts of Liver

 It contains 4 lobes. We can see first two lobes but remaining two lobes cannot be seen from front side. Each lobe contains 8 segments, and each segment contains 1000 of lobules. Lobules contain hepatocytes which are endothelial cells performing numerous functions inside liver. Right lobe of liver is larger then left lobe. Gallbladder is present just below the right lobe of liver which stores bile. 

Liver contains hepatic artery, hepatic vein and hepatic duct. Hepatic artery carries oxygenated blood from heart while Hepatic vein carries de-oxygenated blood from small intestine, pancreas and spleen. Hepatic duct or bile duct carries bile from gallbladder into GI tract.

Hepatocytes are the functional cells of Liver.

                                            

                                   

                            

Functions of Liver

Detoxification

Liver detoxifies our blood from toxins and by-products such as urea, bilirubin etc. During break down of protein, ammonia released as a by-product which are converted into urea by liver and excreted by urine through urethra. Bilirubin is produced during wastage of old RBC'S and excreted by feces through anus.

Production of Essential Nutrients

•  Liver produces minerals and vitamins required for our body such as iron, copper and vitamin B12.
•   Liver produces bile for metabolism of fats, it is secreted by gallbladder in our small intestine for digestion of food.
•   Liver produces blood clotting factors such as thrombin, fibrinogen and pro-thrombin.  
•   Cholesterol produced by liver which is required for our body to stay healthy. There are two types of cholesterol good or bad. High Density Lipoprotein (good cholesterol) produced by our liver which carries Low Density Lipoprotein (bad Cholesterol) from our blood back to the liver. Bad Cholesterol blocks arteries, causes plaque or heart attack in humans.

Maintenance of blood Glucose Level

Body stores excess glucose in the form of glycogen in liver with the help of pancreas that secretes hormone insulin in blood if level of glucose increases in the blood. If body needs glucose, then hormone glucagon converts glycogen into glucose and utilized by body.

Gallbladder 

Gallbladder is part of liver which is grey blue in color present just beneath the right lobe of liver. Liver secretes bile which is stored by gallbladder, yellowish-green watery fluid because of two pigments bilirubin and biliverdin produced by break down of OLD RBC'S. Bile plays significant role in digestion.