Liver (Hepar)

-Sameer Bhaya (1225)

 The Liver and Its Structure

In humans, the liver is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, below the
diaphragm. It is an accessory digestive organ that among other functions also produces
bile, an alkaline fluid containing cholesterol and bile acids, which helps the
breakdown of fat. Estimates regarding the organ's total number of functions vary, but
is generally cited as being around 500.

The liver cells, or hepatocytes, form hepatic plates which are separated from each
other by large capillary spaces called sinusoids. The sinusoids have extremely large
pores (called fenestrae) and, unlike other capillaries, lack a basement membrane. The
sinusoids also contain phagocytic Kupffer cells, which are part of the
reticuloendothelial system. The fenestrae provide intimate contact between the
hepatocytes and the content of the blood. Which allows for the performance of livers
functions.
 Glycogenisis-
Conversion of
blood glucose to
glycogen

Production of
glucose from liver
Carbohydrate glycogen and from
other molecules
metabolism (ammo acids, lactic
acid) by
gluconeogenesis

Secretion of
glucose into
the blood.
The liver has enzymes that convert these nonpolar
molecules into more polar (more water-soluble) forms by
hydroxylation (the addition of OH- groups) and by Phagocytosis
conjugation with highly polar groups such as sulfate and by Kupffer
glucuronic acid. Polar derivatives of steroid hormones and cells
drugs are less biologically active and, because of their
increased water solubility, are more easily excreted by the
kidneys into the urine.

In Blood
Detoxification -
Chemical alteration
of biologically active Disposal of
molecules (hormones Ammonia -
and Production
drugs)
of urea, uric
acid
 Lipogenesis-
Synthesis of
triglycerides
and
cholesterol

Lipid
Metabolism

Excretion of Production
cholesterol of ketone
in bile bodies from
fatty acids
The globulins produced by the liver have
a wide variety of functions, including
transport of cholesterol and
triglycerides, transport of steroid and Production of
thyroid hormones, inhibition of trypsin albumin
activity, and blood clotting. Clotting
factors I (fibrinogen), II (prothrombin),
Ш, V, VII, IX, and XI, as well as
angiotensinogen, are all produced by the
liver. Protein
Synthesis
Production of
clotting factors
(fibrinogen,
prothrombin
etc) Production of
plasma
transport
proteins
The liver produces and secretes 250
to 1500 ml of bile per day.
The major constituents of bile are Synthesis of
bile pigment (bilirubin), bile salts, bile salts
phospholipids (mainly lecithin),
cholesterol, and inorganic ions.

Secretion
of Bile

Conjugation
and excretion
of bile
pigment
(bilirubin)
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