The liver is the largest organ in your body, which consist of two lobes, the right and left lobes. These lobes consists of thousands of tiny lobes called lobules, each having a vein. The lobules are surrounded by liver cells called hepatocytes. It is the hepatycytes that are responsible for the muti-functions of your liver.
Anatomical Position
Your liver is positioned at the upper right quadrant of your abdominal cavity, lying under your diaphragm and on top of your stomach, right kidney and intestines. The weight of your liver is three to four pounds with the right lobe being six times larger than the left lobe. When your liver is healthy, it has the consistency of foam rubber and can be palpated under your right ribcage. According to the New York Presbyterian Hospital, your liver holds approximately one pint of your body's blood supply at any given time.
Function
Cornell University reports that your liver performs more than 500 vital functions. Your liver is responsible for filtering chemical substances and waste from your blood. Many types of medications are cleansed from your bloodstream by your liver, including alcohol. Hemoglobin is processed in your liver and used for iron content. Iron is also stored in the liver. Your liver has the capability of helping your body to resist infections. It does this by producing immune factors that help to remove bacteria from your blood stream. Special types of proteins that produce blood plasma are produced by the liver as are special proteins that produce clotting factors in your blood. Your liver is responsible for the regulation of amino acids in your blood, that form the building blocks of proteins.
Metabolism
The waste product bilirubin, which is a breakdown of heme, is metabolized by your liver. Heme is the oxygen carrying molecule in your blood. Ammonia is converted to urea in your liver. Urea is an end product of protein and muscle metabolism that is excreted in your urine. Your liver also breaks down natural waste products of cell metabolism and urea. Up to 90 percent of cholesterol is synthesized in your liver and balanced by the bile production.
Nutrition
Your liver produces bile that aids your digestion process with the absorption of fats. Bile is also responsible for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. Glucose is converted into glycogen and stored by your liver. Your body is capable of drawing on the glycogen stores when needed for energy. Your liver produces cholesterol and proteins that help to carry fat throughout your bloodstream.
References
- Lucille Packard Children's Hospital At Standord:Anatomy and Function of the Liver
- USC Liver Transplant Program and Center for Liver Disease: About Your Liver
- Cornell University: Anatomy And Function Of The Liver
- New York Presbyterian: Liver Function And Anatomy
- Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia: Anatomy And Function Of The Liver
- California Pacific Medical Center: How the Liver Works
