You are on page 1of 3

The liver is a remarkable organ that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of

the body.

The liver is a vital organ that performs many functions in the body.

It is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, under the diaphragm, and weighs
about 3 pounds.

Some of the main functions of the liver are:

 Producing bile, which helps digest fats and remove waste products from the body 12.
 Making proteins, such as albumin and clotting factors, that are essential for blood
circulation and healing12.
 Storing and regulating glucose, which is the main source of energy for the cells12.
 Metabolizing and detoxifying drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances that enter
the body12.
 Synthesizing cholesterol and lipoproteins, which are important for transporting fats and
hormones in the blood12.
 Converting ammonia, a toxic by-product of protein breakdown, into urea, which is
excreted in the urine12.
 Filtering and clearing the blood of bacteria, viruses, and other foreign particles12.
 Storing iron, copper, vitamins, and minerals that are needed for various metabolic
processes12.
 Breaking down bilirubin, a pigment that is formed from the breakdown of red blood
cells, and giving the bile its yellow color1

The liver is a very special organ that has many unique characteristics and functions.
Some of the special features of the liver are:

 It is the largest internal organ and gland in the human body, weighing about 1.5 kg123.
 It is divided into four anatomical lobes (right, left, caudate, and quadrate) and eight
functional segments, each with its own blood supply and bile drainage12.
 It has a dual blood supply, receiving both oxygen-rich blood from the hepatic artery and
nutrient-rich blood from the portal vein123.
 It produces bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that helps digest fats and eliminate waste
products from the body123.
 It performs over 500 vital functions, such as detoxification, protein synthesis,
carbohydrate metabolism, vitamin storage, iron metabolism, drug degradation, and
immune regulation123.
 It has a remarkable regenerative capacity, being able to grow back to its original size
and function after partial removal or injury

You might also like