The liver is a very large organ, which has a very central function in the organism. For this reason, the liver has an extremely strong blood supply and can be extremely damaged by various influences.
What is the liver?
Infographic on the anatomy and structure of the liver. Click to enlarge. The liver belongs to the organs which are glands. Since the soft liver has very extensive tasks to perform, it represents an exceedingly complex organ whose structure is quite complicated. The liver is located in the right upper abdomen and, if its functioning is impaired, it can greatly affect general well-being. If the liver completely loses its ability to function, this can be accompanied by death. In an adult human, the liver has a net weight of 1,500 to 1,800 grams in normal, healthy condition. Specific diseases can cause the liver to massively enlarge or, conversely, shrink and harden. Another name for the liver is hepar.
Anatomy and structure
When looking at the structure of the liver, four components are first seen. In the case of the liver, these parts are called lobes or lobes of the liver and are further divided into liver segments, respectively. The individual areas of the liver are called lobus hepatis dexter, lobus hepatis sinister and, according to their shape, the lobus caudatus and the lobus quadratus. All lobes of the liver are connected to each other by an extensive system of blood vessels. In addition, the liver is anatomically divided into different surface structures, within which there are three in total. The liver itself is supplied by the blood-carrying vessels, which are also fundamental for the fulfillment of the liver’s tasks. In the liver, these are the hepatic artery as the supplying and the portal vein. The spongy tissue of the liver is composed of liver cells.
Functions and tasks
Through the supply of blood via the outgoing from the stomach, pancreas, intestine and spleen, metabolic activity takes place, which is particularly in the liver cells, heparocytes. In this context, the liver’s task is to filter out all substances harmful to the organism and send them for excretion. For this reason, the liver is also called the most important detoxification organ. The liver also has an important function as an organ that can store a wide variety of substances and release them as needed. Other functions of the liver include the production of bile, the conversion of dietary protein into endogenous protein (for building the body’s cells), the storage and release of energy-rich carbohydrates and fats, and the neutralization of toxic substances in the body. The liver provides energy, which is needed for the entire physiology of the body. In addition, the liver is involved in the breakdown of erythrocytes and can filter organ-damaging substances such as alcohol, foreign substances found in medications or food. The liver also plays a major role in keeping the body’s immune system intact.
Diseases
It is true that the liver is a large organ that can cope with high levels of stress. Nevertheless, this gland can also become diseased. Typical diseases that affect the liver and are characterized by more or less severe impairment of health can be caused by internal or external factors. Among the diseases of the liver characterized by a very unfavorable course is cirrhosis of the liver. In cirrhosis of the liver, there is a death of liver cells and thus the entire liver tissue. In addition, fatty liver, hepatitis known as jaundice, and liver cancer are very serious diseases of the liver. Various external influences, which include bacteria or viruses, as well as a permanent intake of toxins, can also cause a reduction in the liver’s ability to function, and even a loss of function. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Jaundice results from a buildup of bile due to obstruction of the bile ducts. Tumors can also form in the liver due to abnormal cell growth. These grow particularly quickly in the liver because the tissue of the liver is extremely intensively supplied with blood. For this reason, the cells split off from the tumors migrate quite quickly into the bloodstream and metastases develop.
Typical and common diseases
- Liver failure
- Cholestasis
- Liver cyst
