Human Liver Anatomy and Functions Quiz

The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body, weighing approximately 1.5 kilograms. Located in the upper right abdomen, near the diaphragm and behind the ribs, it extends across the midline to the left side. The liver is spongy, wedge-shaped, and reddish-brown.

As the only organ with two blood supplies—the hepatic artery, which delivers oxygen-rich blood, and the hepatic portal vein, which carries blood from the intestines—the liver plays a crucial role in digestion and absorption, filtering the blood, and detoxifying potentially harmful substances. The liver interacts with nearly every organ system in the body, contributing to metabolism, immunity, digestion, detoxification, and more.

Developmentally, the liver originates as a diverticulum from the foregut, initially forming the primordium of the liver or gallbladder. By the sixth week of fetal development, the liver becomes responsible for hematopoiesis, producing blood cells. Around the twelfth week, hepatocytes start creating bile.

In terms of functions, the liver performs various roles:

• Metabolic Functions: The liver plays a central role in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism, storing glucose when abundant and releasing it as needed to maintain energy levels. It converts fats into fatty acids and ketone bodies, which are transported to tissues for further metabolism. Additionally, the liver synthesizes proteins and hormones, including albumin and clotting factors, providing these elements to the bloodstream.

• Detoxification: The liver metabolizes nitrogenous waste products and detoxifies toxic substances, preparing them for elimination in urine or feces. Impaired liver function can lead to conditions like jaundice, characterized by excessive bilirubin in the blood, resulting in yellow skin and eyes.

• Digestion and Absorption: During digestion, the liver produces bile, a fluid containing bile salts that aid in fat absorption. After a meal, the gallbladder releases stored bile into the small intestine for bile salt assistance in breaking down dietary fats.

• Immunologic System: Kupffer cells and Pit cells in the liver play essential roles in immune function, ingesting foreign particles and cellular debris.

Promoting overall health involves maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol excess, and monitoring medications, as certain drugs can damage the liver.