The Liver Flashcards
describe the liver
this is a major organ that functions in metabolism of materials absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as storing glycogen and releasing glucose
what are some of the functions of the liver
- metabolism of materials absorbed from the git, storing glycogen and releasing glucose
- protein synthesis
- inactivation of hormones and drugs
- excretion of waste
- bile production
how big is the liver
around 1.5 kilos and is usually larger in males
what colour is the liver
red brown
how does the liver function in digestion
it is an accessory organ for digestion as it produces bile which goes on to be stored and concentrated in the gall bladder.
detoxifies and processes everything absorbed from the git and regulates glucose in the blood
which proteins are synthesised in the liver
clotting factors and platelet regulations
what can the liver inactivate
hormones
drugs
insulin
many waste products
why can the metabolism of drugs in the liver be of detriment
when the product of metabolism is more toxic than the inital compound, such as in use of paracetamol
where is the liver located in the abdomen
right hypochondrium, extending over to the epigastric region and to the left hypochondrium
what is the largest gland in the body
the liver
which internal organ is the heaviest
the liver
how many lobes are there on the liver
four
what is the liver covered by
lower ribs and costal cartilage
what is the falciform ligament
embryological remnant of ventral mesentery and attaches to the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall
what is the round ligament
a remnant of the umbilical vein
sometimes continuous with the ligamentum venosum, which is a fibrous remnant of the ductus venosus
what does the ductus venosus do
direct blood in fetal life
how is the liver supplied with blood
through a dual supply
for how much of blood flow do the hepatic arteries account for
25%
what does the hepatic artery do
provide oxygenated blood for the liver
what carries blood from the glut spleen and related organs to the liver
the hepatic portal vein
what do the intrahepatic ducts unite to form
the left and right extrahepatic ducts which link to the common hepatic duct
what does the common hepatic duct come from
the left and right hepatic ducts which carry bile to the gall bladder
what carries bile to the gall bladder
the left and right hepatic ducts
what is the liver made up of
hexagonal hepatic lobules containing liver cells
what are the liver cells
hepatocytes