Liver

The liver is a major <a href="/facts/Metabolic/WxDrm8k5">metabolic</a> <a href="/facts/Organ_(anatomy)/FUYsLaxz">organ</a> exclusively found in <a href="/facts/Vertebrate/tT54FSTT">vertebrates</a>, which performs many essential biological <a href="/facts/Function_(biology)/a5hLtnS7">functions</a> such as <a href="/facts/Detoxification/SQzAYKQj">detoxification</a> of the organism, and the <a href="/facts/Protein_biosynthesis/P4IcGjPd">synthesis of various proteins</a> and various other <a href="/facts/Biochemistry/fa2pWEBp">biochemicals</a> necessary for <a href="/facts/Digestion/sjUBmhBS">digestion</a> and growth. In <a href="/facts/Human/rlcTENsr">humans</a>, it is located in the <a href="/facts/Quadrants_and_regions_of_abdomen/9hYKDQ72">right upper quadrant</a> of the <a href="/facts/Abdomen/HcTzDFL0">abdomen</a>, below the <a href="/facts/Thoracic_diaphragm/aw7KcUou">diaphragm</a> and mostly shielded by the lower right <a href="/facts/Rib_cage/KzXLlujq">rib cage</a>. Its other metabolic roles include <a href="/facts/Carbohydrate_metabolism/h2WvuF14">carbohydrate metabolism</a>, the production of a number of <a href="/facts/Hormone/WFnBnINJ">hormones</a>, conversion and storage of nutrients such as <a href="/facts/Glucose/oUSkoLCD">glucose</a> and <a href="/facts/Glycogen/kWa8fPFE">glycogen</a>, and the decomposition of <a href="/facts/Red_blood_cell/Kggpq8Jh">red blood cells</a>. Anatomical and medical terminology often use the prefix <a href="/facts/List_of_medical_roots%2c_suffixes_and_prefixes/0jVDvfru">hepat-</a> from ἡπατο-, from the <a href="/facts/Greek_language/pzDd6eIz">Greek</a> word for liver, such as <a href="/facts/Hepatology/DfHbofu5">hepatology</a>, and <a href="/facts/Hepatitis/FIN87T5e">hepatitis</a>
The liver is also an <a href="/facts/Accessory_digestive_organ/SdpF0sWq">accessory digestive organ</a> that produces <a href="/facts/Bile/D15BG2gq">bile</a>, an <a href="/facts/Alkaline/s6NqPGSP">alkaline</a> fluid containing <a href="/facts/Cholesterol/TnfPlYc1">cholesterol</a> and <a href="/facts/Bile_acid/ojTJzf0c">bile acids</a>, which <a href="/facts/Emulsifies/YMSqSCuH">emulsifies</a> and aids the <a href="/facts/Fatty_acid_degradation/HpllKW9B">breakdown of dietary fat</a>. The <a href="/facts/Gallbladder/RPdkQzQM">gallbladder</a>, a small hollow pouch that sits just under the right lobe of liver, stores and concentrates the bile produced by the liver, which is later excreted to the <a href="/facts/Duodenum/IAIgHBmq">duodenum</a> to help with <a href="/facts/Digestion/sjUBmhBS">digestion</a>. The liver's highly specialized <a href="/facts/Biological_tissue/H7CpML7A">tissue</a>, consisting mostly of <a href="/facts/Hepatocyte/USpvDz1n">hepatocytes</a>, regulates a wide variety of high-volume biochemical reactions, including the synthesis and breakdown of small and complex organic molecules, many of which are necessary for normal vital functions. Estimates regarding the organ's total number of functions vary, but is generally cited as being around 500. For this reason, the liver has sometimes been described as the body's <a href="/facts/Chemical_plant/swCB2mEH">chemical factory</a>.
It is not known how to compensate for the absence of liver function in the long term, although <a href="/facts/Liver_dialysis/2XG1AzA7">liver dialysis</a> techniques can be used in the short term. <a href="/facts/Artificial_organ/TLRKF4LI">Artificial livers</a> have not been developed to promote long-term replacement in the absence of the liver. As of 2018, <a href="/facts/Liver_transplantation/0noMXT50">liver transplantation</a> is the only option for complete <a href="/facts/Liver_failure/AB5ocI30">liver failure</a>.

Liver open-in-new

Liver