Liver Anatomy and Functions

What is the approximate percentage of water in the liver?

What is the primary source of energy for cells in the body?

What is the liver's role in digestion?

What happens to the liver if it is damaged?

What is the liver's function in removing toxins from the body?

What happens to the glucose stored in the liver when the body needs extra energy?

What is the main function of bile in the digestive process?

Why is cholesterol important for the body?

What happens to excess cholesterol in the liver?

What can happen if the liver does not maintain healthy levels of cholesterol?

Liver Basics

Weighs approximately three pounds and is the size of a football
Located just under the rib cage in the upper right part of the stomach
Composed of two main parts called lobes, with the right lobe being larger than the left lobe
Second-largest organ in the body (skin is considered the largest organ)

Liver Functions

Cleans the blood by removing harmful toxins
Acts like a warehouse for energy by storing glucose (glycogen) for later use
Makes bile, a thick, yellow-green liquid that helps absorb fats from food
Helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol by removing excess cholesterol and producing it when necessary

Liver Characteristics

Has the ability to regenerate, or regrow itself, from as little as 25% of its original size
Composed of 96% water
Performs four main jobs: cleaning the blood, storing energy, making bile, and balancing cholesterol levels

Importance of Liver Functions

Removes toxins to prevent them from acting like poison in the body
Regulates energy levels by releasing stored glucose when needed
Facilitates fat absorption from food through bile production
Prevents heart disease and heart attack by maintaining healthy cholesterol levels

Learn about the liver's structure, location, and essential functions in the human body, including detoxification, energy storage, and bile production.