Liver: Diagram and Facts with Detailed Explanations

Basic Anatomy of the Liver

It is a reddish-brown organ located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. The organ's weight in adults is about 1.5 kg and is famous for its regenerating capacity. The liver's anatomy is, in other words, divided into two major parts: the right lobes and the left lobes. Further, each lobe continues to subdivide into smaller liver lobules; hence, they are the functional units of the organ.

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This Story also Contains

1. Basic Anatomy of the Liver
2. Liver Functions
3. Cellular organization of the liver
4. Blood Supply to the Liver
5. Common Disorders of the Liver
6. Health and Maintenance of the Liver
7. The Liver in Human Physiology and Medicine
8. Recent Advances in Liver Research
9. Recommended video for "Liver"

Liver Functions

There are scores of functions that go on in this organ related to the sustenance of good health. Other things it includes are the metabolism of the body with energy production regarding carbohydrates, proteins, and fats taken into the diet. The liver focuses on the detoxification of substances detrimental to health like alcohol and drugs, and the filtration of blood waste.

• Protein Synthesis and Blood Clotting: Proteins important for blood coagulation and functions in the body are synthesized in the liver.

• Vitamins and Minerals: Some major important vitamins and minerals like A and D, along with others, are stored in the liver, mostly fat-soluble, Vits, including E and K. Iron and copper metals are stored in the liver along with B12.

• Manufacture of Bile: Manufactures bile, so it is an important organ in the process of digestion as well as the absorption of fats.

Cellular organization of the liver

Generally, the Anatomical organization of the liver occupies various kinds of cells that perform their roles in their aspect. Some of those are:

• Hepatocytes: Hepatocytes are the main functional cells of the liver responsible for most of the metabolic, detoxification, and synthetic activities.

• Kupffer Cells: These are specialized macrophages for the breakdown of old red blood cells and clearing up foreign microorganisms.

• Stellate Cells: These are the storing cells for vitamin A and are also involved in the process of hepatic fibrosis

• Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells: These are cells forming the lining of liver sinusoids serving to exchange the substances from the blood to the cells in the liver.

Blood Supply to the Liver

The liver has two major sources of blood supply:

• Hepatic Artery: Supplies blood to the liver already in an oxygen-enriched form from the heart.

• Portal Vein: It receives some nutrient-enriched blood from the digestive organs.

Processed, the blood leaves the liver via the hepatic veins and drains into the inferior vena cava.

Liver anatomy: (A) Entire organ and blood supply: blue (venous), red (arterial), green (bile). (B) Liver lobule: hepatocytes radiating from the central vein to the portal triad. (C) Hepatocytes (H) in contact with sinusoid (S). (D) Sinusoidal cell arrangements: L (LSEC), SC (stellate cell), KC (Kupffer cell).

Blood supply of a liver acinus: Oxygen and nutrient levels decrease from zone 1 to zone 3. BD (bile ductule), CV (central vein), HA (hepatic artery), PV (portal vein). (Source: Jones AL, Hepatology: A Textbook of Liver Disease, 3rd ed. 1996). Figure 4. Splanchnic circulation under fasting conditions: The liver mainly receives blood via the portal vein. (Source: Barrett KE, Gastrointestinal Physiology, 2nd ed. 2014).

Common Disorders of the Liver

The liver is subject to numerous disorders/diseases: common ones include the following:

• Hepatitis: Hepatitis is an inflammation disease on the liver—mostly emanating from infection by some viruses, that is A, B, and C types.

• Cirrhosis: This is a long-term effect that leads to the scarring of liver tissue—usually due to damage caused to the liver by, say, excessive alcohol abuse, or through chronic hepatitis.

• Fatty Liver Disease: This is fat accumulating in liver cells and very often arising as a problem consequent to, for instance, obesity or diabetes.

• Liver Cancer: Uncontrolled growth of the liver's cells usually by chronic liver diseases

Health and Maintenance of the Liver

This, in turn, requires proper maintenance of the organ for fit and healthy well-being. Here are a few tips on how to keep your liver healthy:

• Healthy Diet: Be balanced in diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins but in moderation without excess intake of fats and sugars.

• Avoid Excessive Alcoholic Drinking: Excess intake of alcohol should be checked to deter damage to the liver organ.

• Regular Exercise: Regular exercise will maintain in some respect a healthy weight, which would not be a cause for addition to emerging complications in health.

• Vaccinations: Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.

• Check-Ups: Get your liver function tests and general health checks at regular intervals from the healthcare provider.

The Liver in Human Physiology and Medicine

The liver is central in human physiology and medicine for a very good reason:

• Drug Metabolism: Drug metabolism occurs right within the liver; therefore, it makes it possible to determine how many drugs work and their toxicity.

• Liver Transplants: It is the main treatment for end-stage liver diseases and acute liver failure.

• Research Advancements: It is ongoing research to find out new treatments and therapies for liver diseases.

Recent Advances in Liver Research

Some of the new developments in liver research are as follows:

• Stem cell therapy: Excellent scope for regeneration of damaged liver tissue shortly.

• Improvements in Liver Transplantation: Surgical techniques and post-transplant care.

Newer Medications: New generation of medications directed towards specific conditions of the liver; examples include antiviral medications in hepatitis C.

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