0
Liver
The liver is a reddish brown gland that secretes digestive juices to aid in the digestion and absorption of food.
1,947 Questions
What are some important functions of the human liver?
When the blood glucose concentration becomes excessive; liver converts the glucose into glycogen. Liver converts the glycogen back to the glucose when energy is needed.
2: Metabolism
Liver is responsible for the metabolism of proteins and fats. It synthesizes blood clotting factors and stores various types of vitamins.
3:Bile secretion
The hypatocystes (cells) of liver secrete bile. The bile is stored in gallbladder.The bile duct of liver and cystic duct of gallbladder form common bile duct. The common bile duct join the pancreatic duct, the bile from common bile duct and pancreatic juice from pancreatic duct empty into duodenum (of small intestine) through the sphincter of oddi (valve) if it is opened. The opening of this valve is controlled by a hormone called Cholecystokinin.
Bile juice helps in emulsificaton of fats.
Bile is alkaline solution. Its molecules have dual nature (one end is attracted to water molecule while other is attracted to fat molecule). Thus its molecules remain in between water molecules and fat molecules (emulsification process).
If bile molecules were not present between fats and water, the fat molecules would be repelled by water molecules and be attracted to each other. The fat molecules would merge together because fats are insoluble in water. The merged fats would not be easily broken down with lipase (fat digesting enzyme).
4:Breakdown of old red blood cells
Liver breaks down the old red blood cells into bilurubin. Bilurubin is excreted in bile and urine.
5: Detoxification
Liver contains macrophages called Kupffer cells. These cells engulf and breakdown toxic matter such as microorganisms, dead cells and chemicals. Kupffer cells ingest microorganism by phagocytosis. The engulfed microorganism is called phagosome. Lysosmes in the cytoplasm of kupffer cell, fuse with the phagosome and release digestive enzymes. These enzymes breakdown and kill the microorganism.
But how do kupffer cells identify toxic matter?
There are receptors for the toxic matter on the surface of kupffer cells. The harmful particle and these receptors of kupffer cell can fit together like pieces of a puzzle. The harmful particle is then engulfed by kupffer cell.
Can a person overcome stage 4 cancer in the liver?
It is possible to survive any of the 4 stages of cancer, but stage 4 is the least likely to survive because the tumor is no longer localized in one place but has metastasized, spawning thousands of small tumors everywhere in the body. Strong chemotherapy is usually required to treat stage 4 cancer (and some of the toxic drugs used for chemotherapy can kill you faster than the cancer itself if they are not carefully managed by the oncologists).
The liver store glucose in what form?
Glycogen is stored in the liver and muscles, and is second to fats as long-term energy storage.
take WAY too much Tylenol extra strength. and drink a LOT of alcohol.
Who is the oldest surviving liver transplant recipient in the US?
Shivnath Kanoria was first operated on 27th May 1980 by Dr, Naresh Trehan
Ron Mills had bypass surgery in August 1976 at Westminster Hospital London By Mr Drew and Mr Baily (Heart Surgeons) Still Here!!!!
Geoff Nash of Fareham Hampshire Still going at 69 years Having had Sextuple Bypass at Southampton Western chest hospital in February 1978 By Mr Munroe he`s now retired. anybody interested contact me on G_NASH1@sky.com
Raymond Sivret of Mattawa Ontario had a double bypass procedure in May of 1970 in Montreal, making it over 39 years and still ticking!!!!
Is Liver mechanical or chemical?
No. Anything involving a chemical is not mechanical. It is chemical. It this case a liver "chemical" like enzymes would be involved in the process of digestion. The mechanical process is what you would see when you chew your food, for example. You are not actually changing the food but making the larger parts smaller.
What are the functions of the liver in the digestion process?
It cleans out your blood making a healthier digestive system and it has over 1200 differant functions True, but in digestion its primary purpose is to provide bile, which is stored in the gallbladder, and released into the intestines when eating to help emulsify fat. This emulsificaiton aids in the function of the enzyme lipase, which is what actually digests the fat. The bile is actually a by-product of the filtering action of the liver, and has a laxitive effect.
What is a echogenic lesion on the liver?
Hepatic echogenicity means the nature of ultrasound waves which are reflected from the liver during a sonography. If the waves or echoes are larger than normal then it means that the parenchyma or the functional part of the liver is diseased. The parenchyma is generally affected by fatty deposits within the liver causing hepatomegaly or inflamation of the liver or the parenchmal cells of the liver. Fatty liver disease is completely reversible without any long lasting effects but it takes around three months to reverse it with dietary restrictions.
What can happen if the liver is accidentally cut in surgery?
Haemorrhage can occur however surgeons take steps to prevent this from happening.
What does it mean when you have spots on the liver?
There are a number of reasons why white spots would be on a person's liver such as inflammation, cysts, and even fatty liver disease. A doctor can determine what is the cause and prescribe medication accordingly.
What is the average size of an adult female liver?
The everage size of an adult liver is around 3 pounds (1.4 kg). It is somewhat bigger for man, smaller for women, depending on body sizes. More informations about the anatomy and also the functions of the liver can be found on related links.
Where does the bile duct carry bile?
The bile duct carries bile to the proximal duodenum (the first part of the small intestines) and to the gall bladder (in most species).
What is the evolution of the liver?
The liver has so many functions that it would have to be a very comprehensive study, documenting all the different mechanisms that developed over time, and how that gave the humans a selective advantage against pathogens and metabolisation of different foods. Talking about the regenerative capacity of the liver, I believe malaria and some other pathogens played an important role in selecting out human with a regenerative capacity in their liver.
Who are not good candidates for liver transplantation?
patients who are acutely ill and unstable; who have uncontrolled or untreatable pulmonary infection; significant dysfunction of other organs, particularly the liver, kidney, or central nervous system
What foods can you eat if you have fatty liver and Increased cholesterol levels?
I have fatty liver and lam not sure what diet l can go on. can you please advise me what diet is best please.
NB: A fatty liver is NOT due to eating fatty foods. It is a form of disease, often caused by excess alcohol consumption that has damaged your liver. You will need treatment to control the spread of the disease. Actually there is another type of Fatty Liver. It's called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver and it IS caused by fatty foods. Reduce your fat intake, drink plenty of WATER, get more rest and exercise. My GI doctor recommended the Weight Watchers program for me. Each person is different, so consult your doctor before changing your diet and make sure you get your levels check every 3 to 6 months. This disease can be beat! Hang in there. Check out http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080305/leslie_beck_AM_080405?s_name=&no_ads=
How many patients who need a liver transplantation suffer from alcoholism?
Better than they use to be. Studies have shown that alcoholics are just as successful as non alcoholics in abstaining from alcohol. Both groups 28% fail. The big difference is the alcoholic needs to have a good family support group, meet with a psychologists regularly and not have a history of DWI/DUI type issues. Many people that are just "social" drinkers those that don't drink and drive but drink at home and when out pretty constant and have held down a job for years raised a family etc... are the candidates considered. Remember there are different types of alcoholics.
Can you freeze uncooked lambs liver?
i bought a fresh ready meal .liver and bacon froze it ,without ready the box ,got it out to defrost ,then noticed it said not for frezzin will it still be ok to eat ,........... it will be fine
What will happen to liver donor?
Depends on if it's a live donor or a dead donor. With a live donor only part of the liver is harvested for transplantation, and the remaining part will grow back to (close to) its original size within weeks.
Do drinkers qualify for a liver transplant?
Alcohol is a toxin that the liver processes. A person begins to feel drunk and relaxed after drinking lots of alcohol because the liver cannot dilute all of this toxin. The alcohol that isn't diluted is put back into the bloodstream, which gives the person a good feeling. However, longterm use of alcohol can cause a permanent strain on the liver, causing lots of damage.
Can a doctor tell you how long a person live with a liver damage?
Doctors are not gods. They do not know how long anyone will live. Every person is an individual. Doctors can only give you estimates based on the average response to a condition. Sometimes this is a very bad idea because it can cause people to lose hope and give up, leading to an earlier death than would have occurred without "knowing" how long they had to live.
one is that part of it can be dissected and transplanted into a person to function as a new liver. Another interesting fact; the liver is the biggest organ in the body :O
