How did the liver get its name?

Answer 1

The functions performed by the liver were discovered relatively late in the study of Human Physiology. Originally, the organ was thought to be relatively unnecessary (much like the appendix), and it's actual functions were often incorrectly attributed to other organs. When physiologists figured out all of the extremely important functions that this organ performed, they realized that it was one of the most important organs for sustaining human life -- that is, an organ that makes you live...or, a "liver".

Answer 2

In the 1860's a man by the name of David Wenington went to the doctor's office because his insides were hurting and he didn't know why. When they looked at his liver, they said it was all black and dead. They didn't know how it got that way but they named it the liver disease.