What is the role of the liver? | Its main function in our body

Human liver structure and functions

In this article, you will read what is the role of the liver and its main function in our body.

Location of the liver in the body

The liver is the largest internal organ of the body. About the size of a football, it's located mainly in the upper right portion of the abdomen under the rib cage beneath the diaphragm and above the stomach.

 

What is the liver?

The liver is the largest gland in our body that performs many important functions of the body including blood filtering.

 

Shape and size of a human liver

The shape of the liver is like a cone, the liver has the size of a football. The liver is a dark reddish-brown organ that weighs about 3 pounds.

 

The liver consists of two  main lobes. Both are made up of 8 segments that consist of 1,000 lobules (small lobes). These lobules are connected to small ducts (tubes) that connect with larger ducts to form the common hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct transports the bile made by the liver cells to the gallbladder and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) via the common bile duct.

 

Liver functions

No one can live without a working liver; it is very essential for the body and does different kinds of work likewise blood filtering. The liver is essential for digesting food and ridding your body of toxic substances.

 

The following are the main functions that the liver performs

    1.  The liver regulates most chemicals in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry out the waste products from the liver. All the blood which is secreted by the stomach, and intestine (small and large intestine) passes through the liver.

   

   2.  The liver processes this blood and breaks down balances creates the nutrients and also metabolizes drugs into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body or that are nontoxic.

 

    3.  The blood which comes into the liver is processed by the bile juice and breakdown the fats in the small intestine during digestion. 

    4.  Bile product and excretion.

   5.  Metabolism of fats, protein, or carbohydrates.

   6.  Excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, and drugs.

   7.  Regulation of blood levels of amino acids, which form the building blocks of proteins.

   8.  Production of certain proteins for blood plasma. Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body.

   9.  Enzyme activation.

   10.   Storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals.

   11.  Processing of haemoglobin for use of its iron content.

   12.   Clearing the blood of toxic substances and other poisonous substances.

   13.  Synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin, and clotting factors.

   14. Destruction of RBCs after completion of their life span.

   15. Produce hormones like IGF-1, angiotensin, and thrombopoietin.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

    1.  What part of the body is the liver located in?

Ans – The liver is located in the abdominal cavity above the stomach.

   

    2. What does your liver do to your body?

Ans.- The liver performs many different functions with which bile production for the digestion of food is the main function.

   

   3.  What are the 3 functions of the liver

Ans. – secretion of bile juice, storage of glycogen, and removal of toxic substances from the blood