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The liver is the largest gland in the human body. It weighs approximately 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of different sizes and lengths. It is also the largest internal organ (the largest organ is the skin). It is below the diaphragm on the right in the thoracic region of the abdomen. Blood reaches the liver through the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine, while the hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta.
The liver is made up of thousands of lobules, each lobule consists of many hepatic cells - hepatic cells are the basic metabolic cells of the liver.
The liver has a wide range of functions, including:
- Detoxification (filters harmful substances form the blood, such as alcohol)
- Stores vitamins A, D, K and B12 (also stores minerals)
- Protein synthesis (makes certain amino acids - the building blocks of proteins)
- The production of biochemicals needed for digestion, such as bile
- Maintains proper levels of glucose in the blood
- Produces 80% of your body's cholesterol(cholesterol is vital)
- The storage glycogen (also converts glucose to glycogen)
- Decomposing red blood cells
- Synthesizing plasma protein
- The production of hormones
- Produces urea (the main substance of urine)
Most liver damage is caused by 3 viruses, called hepatitis A, B and C. About 250 million people globally are thought to be affected by hepatitis C, while 300 million people are thought to be carriers of hepatitis B
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