Liver Functions and Anatomy Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of nutrients for the liver?

Bile duct

Portal vein (correct)

Hepatic artery

Central vein

Which components constitute the portal triad in the liver?

Portal vein, bile duct, and hepatic artery (correct)

Bile duct, hepatic artery, and central vein

Portal vein, hepatic vein, and bile duct

Hepatic artery, gall bladder, and central vein

Which area of the liver has the lowest oxygen concentration?

Periportal zone

Portal zone

Centrilobular (zone 3) (correct)

Hepatic artery zone

In what direction does blood flow in the liver compared to bile?

Opposite direction to bile Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the liver?

Lipid absorption Signup and view all the answers

What is a clinical sign of liver disease that affects the brain?

Hepatic encephalopathy Signup and view all the answers

Which classification of liver disease is characterized by hemolysis?

Pre-hepatic liver disease Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of decreased urea production in liver disease?

Increased ammonia levels in the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of hepatic encephalopathy?

Ammonia and other toxins not metabolized by the liver Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic test is NOT typically used to assess liver disease?

Complete metabolic panel Signup and view all the answers

What does an increase in cholesterol levels typically indicate?

Biliary obstruction Signup and view all the answers

What does a normocytic, normochromic anemia indicate?

Chronic inflammatory disease or early blood loss Signup and view all the answers

What do changes in albumin levels primarily reflect?

Dehydration or GI fluid loss Signup and view all the answers

What does a decrease in glucose levels typically suggest?

Liver dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

An increased ALP level in a cat is more significant due to what reason?

Shorter half-life of ALP in cats Signup and view all the answers

What does an increase in both GGT and ALP likely indicate?

Cholestatic disease Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Liver Functions and Anatomy

Nutrients predominantly enter the liver via the portal vein.
The portal triad consists of the portal vein, bile duct, and hepatic artery.
Centrilobular (zone 3) is the area of the liver with the lowest oxygen concentration.
Blood flow in the liver moves in the opposite direction to bile flow.

Functions of the Liver

Synthesizes amino acids and converts glucose to glycogen and vice versa.
Produces bile and deactivates poisons and toxins.
Decomposes red blood cells and synthesizes cholesterol.
Regulates blood composition and hormone production and metabolism.
Assists in vitamin absorption, metabolism, and production.

Clinical Signs of Liver Disease

Secondary gastrointestinal symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, hypo/anorexia.
Icterus/jaundice due to bilirubin accumulation.
Hepatic encephalopathy: signs include head pressing, seizures, behavioral changes (e.g., fly biting, blind, aggression).
Polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD) from decreased urea production, leading to excessive urination and drinking.
Hemorrhagic tendencies due to decreased coagulation factors (2, 7, 9, 10 affected) and thrombocytopenia.
Ascites due to low albumin levels impacting oncotic pressure and increased portal pressure.
Bile peritonitis resulting from gallbladder rupture.
Increased drug sensitivity due to low albumin and reduced metabolic function.

Classifications of Liver Disease

Pre-hepatic: typically involves hemolysis.
Hepatic: related to direct liver issues.
Post-hepatic: often involves bile obstruction.

Hepatic Encephalopathy and Diagnostics

Hepatic encephalopathy caused by elevated ammonia and other toxins not processed by the liver.
Diagnostics for liver disease: CBC, pseudo function tests (total bilirubin, glucose, BUN, cholesterol, albumin), ammonia, bile acids, imaging, and biopsy.

Hematology Insights

Normocytic, normochromic anemia suggests chronic inflammatory disease.
Macrocytic, hypochromic anemia indicates blood loss anemia.
Microcytic, hypochromic anemia points to iron deficiency or portosystemic shunts.
Thrombocytopenia is linked with gastrointestinal blood loss or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Reactive thrombocytosis may occur with GI blood loss.

Albumin and Globulin Changes

Increased albumin indicates dehydration or GI fluid loss.
Decreased albumin suggests liver dysfunction or GI loss (protein-losing nephropathy).
Increased globulin indicates chronic inflammation or neoplasia; decreased globulin with low albumin indicates gut loss (protein-losing enteropathy).

Cholesterol, BUN, and Glucose Levels

Decreased cholesterol reflects reduced liver production or GI loss and absorption issues.
Increased BUN may indicate dehydration or GI blood loss; decreased BUN points to liver dysfunction.
Low glucose levels may signal liver dysfunction since the liver and kidneys contribute to gluconeogenesis.

Bilirubin and Enzyme Indicators

Increased bilirubin is indicative of liver disease and can lead to jaundice and neurological complications.
Elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reflects biliary stasis/cholestatic disease; it has a shorter half-life in cats.
Increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) suggests cholestatic disease; elevated GGT and ALP together likely indicate cholestatic disease.
Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) suggests liver damage or disease.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy and functions of the liver. This quiz covers the liver's role in metabolism, synthesis, and the clinical signs of liver disease. A comprehensive assessment for students and health professionals alike.