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What does the liver do Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH — By Tim Newman on August 16, 2022The liver is the largest solid organ and the largest gland in the human body. It carries out over 500 essential tasks. The roles of the liver include detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of chemicals that help digest food.
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It is part of the digestive system. This article will cover the main roles of the liver, how the liver regenerates, what happens when the liver does not function correctly, and how to keep the liver healthy.
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Structure
Share on PinterestSEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty ImagesA person’s liver is in the upper right section of the abdomen and sits below the diaphragm. It typically weighs around 3 pounds, but this can vary between people. The skin is the only organ heavier and larger than the liver.
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The liver is roughly triangular and consists of two lobes: a larger right lobe and a smaller left lobe. The falciform ligament separates the lobes.
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This ligament is a band of tissue that keeps the liver anchored to the diaphragm. A layer of fibrous tissue called Glisson’s capsule covers the outside of the liver. The peritoneum, a membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity, then covers this.
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This helps hold the liver in place and protects it from physical damage. Blood vessels
Unlike most organs, the liver has two major sources of blood.
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The portal vein brings in nutrient-rich blood from the digestive system, and the hepatic artery carries oxygenated blood from the heart. The blood vessels divide into small capillaries, with each ending in a lobule. Lobules are the functional units of the liver and consist of millions of cells called hepatocytes.
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Three hepatic veins remove blood from the liver. Functions
The liver is a gland that has many functions in the body. It is difficult to give a precise number, but it may have more than 500 distinct roles.
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The major functions of the liver include:Bile production: Bile helps the small intestine break down and absorb fats, cholesterol, and some vitamins. Bile consists of bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes, and water.Absorbing and metabolizing bilirubin: The breakdown of hemoglobin forms bilirubin.
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The liver or bone marrow stores iron released from hemoglobin, which makes the next generation of blood cells.Supporting blood clots: Vitamin K is necessary to create coagulants that help clot the blood. Bile is essential for vitamin K absorption and forms in the liver.
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The liver must produce enough bile to make clotting factors.Fat metabolization: Bile breaks down fats and makes them easier to digest.Metabolizing carbohydrates: The liver stores carbohydrates. The body can break down stored carbohydrates in the liver, known as glycogen, into glucose. Glucose, or sugar, is released into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels and for a quick burst of energy.Vitamin and mineral storage: The liver stores fat-soluble vitamins, known as vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12.
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It keeps significant amounts of these vitamins stored. The liver stores iron from hemoglobin in the form of ferritin, ready to make new red blood cells. The liver also stores and releases copper.Helps metabolize proteins: Bile helps break down proteins for digestion.Filters the blood: The liver filters and removes compounds from the body, including hormones, such as estrogen and aldosterone, and compounds from outside the body, including alcohol and other drugs.Immunological function: The liver is part of the mononuclear phagocyte system.
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Cells involved in immune activity, Kupffer cells, are found in high numbers in the liver. These cells destroy disease-causing viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms that might enter the liver through the gut.Production of albumin: Albumin is the most common protein in blood serum. It transports fatty acids and steroid hormones to help support the correct pressure and prevent the leaking of blood vessels.Synthesis of angiotensinogen: This hormone raises blood pressure by narrowing the blood vessels when alerted by production of an enzyme called renin in the kidneys.
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Regeneration
Because of the importance of the liver and its functions, evolution has ensured that it can regrow rapidly as long as it is kept healthy. All vertebrates, from fish to humans, have the ability to regrow the liver. The liver is the only visceral organ that can regenerate.
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It can regenerate completely, as long as a minimum of about 25% of the tissue remains. The liver can regrow to its previous size and ability without any loss of function during the growth process. Removal of two-thirds of the liver in mice causes the remaining liver tissue to regrow to its original size and restore function within 7—10 days.
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In humans, the process takes slightly longer, but regeneration can still occur in 8—15 days. Researchers suggest surgical removal of the right or left lobe of the liver results in complete restoration of the liver mass after 3 months, while maximum cellular activity happens 7 to 10 days after the procedure. Over the following few weeks, the new liver tissue becomes indistinguishable from the original tissue.
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A number of compounds are responsible for liver regeneration, including growth factors and cytokines. Some of the most important compounds in the process appear to be but are not limited to:hepatocyte growth factorinsulintransforming growth factor-alphaepidermal growth factorinterleukin-6norepinephrine
Diseases
An organ as complex as the liver can experience a range of problems. A healthy liver functions very efficiently.
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However, the consequences can be dangerous or even fatal in a diseased or malfunctioning liver. Examples of liver disease include:Fascioliasis: The parasitic invasion of a worm, known as a liver fluke, causes this condition. The liver fluke can lie dormant in the liver for months or even years.
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Fascioliasis is a tropical disease.Cirrhosis: This sees scar tissue replace liver cells in a process known as fibrosis. Toxins, alcohol, and hepatitis are some of the many factors that cause this condition. Eventually, fibrosis can lead to liver failure because the functionality of liver cells becomes destroyed.Hepatitis: Hepatitis is the name given to a general infection of the liver, and viruses, toxins, or an autoimmune response can cause it.
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An inflamed liver characterizes this condition. In many cases, the liver can heal itself, but liver failure can occur in serious cases.Alcoholic liver disease: Drinking too much alcohol over long periods can cause liver damage. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC): PSC is a serious inflammatory disease of the bile ducts that results in their destruction.
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There is currently no cure, and the cause is unknown.Fatty liver disease: This usually occurs alongside obesity or the harmful use of alcohol. In fatty liver disease, vacuoles of fat build up in the liver cells. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when alcohol use is not the cause.Gilbert’s syndrome: This is a genetic disorder affecting 4—16% of the population.
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In Gilbert’s syndrome, the body does not fully break down bilirubin. Mild jaundice can occur, but the disorder is harmless.Liver cancer: The most common types of liver cancer are hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. The leading causes are alcohol and hepatitis.
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It is the sixth most common form of cancer globally and the third most frequent cause of cancer death around the world. Health
Below are some recommendations from the American Liver Foundation to help keep the liver working as it should:Diet: As the liver is responsible for digesting fats, consuming too many can overwork the organ and disturb it from other tasks.
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This also has links to fatty liver disease.Moderate alcohol ingestion: Avoid consuming more than two drinks at a time. Drinking too much alcohol causes cirrhosis of the liver over time.Avoiding illicit substances: Illicit substances can overload the liver with toxins.
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Avoiding these substances can allow the liver to perform its necessary functions without impediment.Caution when mixing medications: Some prescription drugs and natural remedies can interact negatively. Mixing drugs with alcohol puts significant pressure on the liver.Protection against airborne chemicals: Airborne chemicals can cause liver damage.
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When painting or using strong cleaning or gardening chemicals, the area should be well ventilated, and people should wear a mask.Travel and vaccinations: Vaccination is essential if a person travels to an area where hepatitis A or B might be a concern. Malaria grows and multiplies in the liver, and yellow fever can lead to liver failure.Safe sex: There is no vaccination for hepatitis C. Safe sex practices can help prevent the disease.Avoid exposure to blood and germs: Receive medical attention if exposed to the blood of another person.
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Despite its ability to regenerate, the liver depends on being healthy to do so. Lifestyle choices and dietary measures, the liver can help protect the liver in most cases.
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Summary
The liver is the largest solid organ in the human body. It is part of the digestive system and plays an essential role in removing toxins from the blood, metabolizing nutrients, and immune function.
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Last medically reviewed on August 16, 2022Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal DrugsBlood / HematologyGastroIntestinal / GastroenterologyLiver Disease / HepatitisMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH — By Tim Newman on August 16, 2022
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Related CoverageWhat’s to know about alcoholic hepatitis?Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP
If a person consumes a lot of alcohol regularly, they can have a higher risk of permanent liver scarring and hepatitis.
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Find out more here.READ MOREWhat to know about nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition in which fatty deposits build up in the liver. Here, find out what causes it and how to manage it. READ MOREWhat to know about liver donation
People may donate part of their working liver while alive or donate after dying.
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We examine the process, recovery, and long-term complications for…READ MOREWhat to know about toxic liver shockMedically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C
Toxic liver shock or toxic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by medications, drugs, chemicals, and other substances. Learn more.READ MOREWhat to know about hepatocellular carcinoma
HCC liver cancer happens when a tumor grows in the liver.
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It is most common in people with chronic liver conditions. Learn more here.READ MORE
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