Anatomic.us > Digestive System

Liver

Jecur or iecur are the Latin pronunciations for Liver. It is one of the most important organs in Vertebrates and some lower animals. It has many functions including Detoxification (removal of toxic substances from living organism), Protein Synthesis and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. There is no way to compensate absence of Liver for long term however for short term Liver Dialysis (detoxification of failed liver) is useful.

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Liver


ANATOMY

It is a soft, reddish brown and triangular organ with four lobes of unequal size and shape. The weight of an average human Liver is 1.44 to 1.66 kg. It is the largest internal organ and also the largest gland of the human body. It is located to the right of Stomach over the Gallbladder. Two large blood vessels Hepatic Artery and Portal Vein are connected to it.

 

CELL TYPES

Two types of major cells populate Liver lobes i.e.

  • Parenchymal Cells

  • Non Parenchymal Cells

Parenchymal Cells also called Hepatocytes cover the 80% volume of Liver. Non Parenchymal Cells make up the 40% of total Liver cells but only 6.5% of the volume. Some of the Non Parenchymal Cells that line the liver Sinusoid are as follows.

  • Kupffer Cells

  • Hepatic Stellate Cells

  • Sinusoidal Hepatic Endothelial Cells

 

BLOOD SUPPLY

The blood is supplied by Hepatic Portal Vein and Hepatic Arteries to Liver. Hepatic Portal Veins supplying 75% of Liver’s blood supply carries venous blood from Spleen, Gastrointestinal Tract and other associated organs. Accounting for the remainder of the Liver’s blood flow; Hepatic arteries supply arterial blood to the Liver. The oxygen demand of Liver is met half by Hepatic Portal Veins and half by Hepatic Arteries.

 

BILIARY FLOW

The term Biliary Tree is derived from branches of Bile ducts. Bile produced by Liver is stored in Bile Canaliculi which combine to form Bile ducts. When they are in liver they are called Intrahepatic (within the Liver) and when they leave the Liver they are called Extrahepatic (outside the Liver). Cystic duct from the Gallbladder merges with Common Hepatic Duct forming Common Bile Duct. Bile drains directly through Common Bile duct into the Duodenum or temporarily stored in Gallbladder through Cystic Duct. At the Ampulla of Vater the Common Bile Duct and Pancreatic Duct enter together the second part of the Duodenum.

 

FUNCTIONS

Currently Liver is considered to be responsible for 500 separate functions in combination with other organs and systems. One of its functions is the protein production and secretion. Some of the Synthesis functions performed by Liver are as follows.

  • Amino Acid Synthesis

  • Gluconeogenesis

  • Glycogenolysis

  • Glycogenesis

  • Cholesterol Synthesis

  • Thrombopoietin production that regulates production of Platelets by Bone Marrow.

It also helps in several breakdown processes.

  • Breakdown of Insulin and other Hormones.

  • Glucuronidation of bilirubin helping in its excretion.

  • Conversion of Ammonia into Urea.

 

DISEASES

Because of its location, multidimensional functions and support to almost every organ it is exposed to many diseases. Most common of the diseases of the Liver include



ANATOMY

It is a soft, reddish brown and triangular organ with four lobes of unequal size and shape. The weight of an average human Liver is 1.44 to 1.66 kg. It is the largest internal organ and also the largest gland of the human body. It is located to the right of Stomach over the Gallbladder. Two large blood vessels Hepatic Artery and Portal Vein are connected to it.

 

CELL TYPES

Two types of major cells populate Liver lobes i.e.

  • Parenchymal Cells

  • Non Parenchymal Cells

Parenchymal Cells also called Hepatocytes cover the 80% volume of Liver. Non Parenchymal Cells make up the 40% of total Liver cells but only 6.5% of the volume. Some of the Non Parenchymal Cells that line the liver Sinusoid are as follows.

  • Kupffer Cells

  • Hepatic Stellate Cells

  • Sinusoidal Hepatic Endothelial Cells

 

BLOOD SUPPLY

The blood is supplied by Hepatic Portal Vein and Hepatic Arteries to Liver. Hepatic Portal Veins supplying 75% of Liver’s blood supply carries venous blood from Spleen, Gastrointestinal Tract and other associated organs. Accounting for the remainder of the Liver’s blood flow; Hepatic arteries supply arterial blood to the Liver. The oxygen demand of Liver is met half by Hepatic Portal Veins and half by Hepatic Arteries.

 

BILIARY FLOW

The term Biliary Tree is derived from branches of Bile ducts. Bile produced by Liver is stored in Bile Canaliculi which combine to form Bile ducts. When they are in liver they are called Intrahepatic (within the Liver) and when they leave the Liver they are called Extrahepatic (outside the Liver). Cystic duct from the Gallbladder merges with Common Hepatic Duct forming Common Bile Duct. Bile drains directly through Common Bile duct into the Duodenum or temporarily stored in Gallbladder through Cystic Duct. At the Ampulla of Vater the Common Bile Duct and Pancreatic Duct enter together the second part of the Duodenum.

 

FUNCTIONS

Currently Liver is considered to be responsible for 500 separate functions in combination with other organs and systems. One of its functions is the protein production and secretion. Some of the Synthesis functions performed by Liver are as follows.

  • Amino Acid Synthesis

  • Gluconeogenesis

  • Glycogenolysis

  • Glycogenesis

  • Cholesterol Synthesis

  • Thrombopoietin production that regulates production of Platelets by Bone Marrow.

It also helps in several breakdown processes.

  • Breakdown of Insulin and other Hormones.

  • Glucuronidation of bilirubin helping in its excretion.

  • Conversion of Ammonia into Urea.

 

DISEASES

Because of its location, multidimensional functions and support to almost every organ it is exposed to many diseases. Most common of the diseases of the Liver include

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