The liver is the largest and strong internal organ in our body about the size of a football. It is located just under your rib cage to the right side of your stomach(abdomen). It is a reddish-brown coloured organ that weighs around 3 pounds. The is protected by the rib cage so you can’t feel the liver. This organ plays a vital role in the body’s metabolic functions and the immune system. A person cannot live without a functioning liver.

The liver is divided into two large sections, called the right lobes and the left lobes. The gallbladder is located under the liver, with the parts pancreas and intestines. The liver and along with other organs together perform a lot of functions.

Functioning Of Liver

The liver is an organ which detoxifies several metabolites, manufactures proteins and produces biochemicals that require for digestion and growth. It also performs some other roles in metabolism such as regulation of glycogen storage, the decay of red blood cells and also helps in hormone production.

The liver is the main accessory digestive organ as it produces bile juice, a fluid that contains cholesterol and bile acids which helps in the breakdown of fat. The liver produces nearly 800 to 1,000 ml of bile a day which is later transported to the small intestine via a bile duct for complete digestion. The excess bile is stored in the gallbladder.

To perform all these functions, the liver requires significant blood flow. The veins in the portal system carry the majority of the blood to the liver from your abdomen, pancreas, and other organs. The liver also plays an important role in blood circulation as it filters the toxins and other wastes from the bloodstream.

Do You Know Liver Can Regenerate?

The liver is really an amazing organ because it has the capacity to regenerate. This means after an injury or a surgery that involves removing tissue of the liver, the tissue can regrow to a certain extent. The liver starts to grow back by enlarging the existing cells and the new liver cells begin to multiply.

Even after dissecting two-third of the liver, the liver can regrow to the same weight within a week as it was before the surgery. The liver can regenerate completely even after 12 partial liver removal surgeries.

The Diseases That Can Develop In The Liver

There are various types of conditions that affect the liver and its functions. While some conditions are treated successfully whereas other chronic conditions need liver transplantation. Some of the common conditions that affect your liver include:

• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Biliary atresia
• Liver Cirrhosis
• Hemochromatosis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Fatty liver disease
• Liver cancer
• Hydatid Cyst
• Portal Hypertension
• Liver failure
• Ascites
• Gallstones
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis
• Primary biliary cirrhosis

For more information or have any liver problems contact our liver doctors right away.