Liver: Diagram and Facts with Detailed Explanations

Gross Anatomy of the Liver

The gross anatomy of the liver is discussed below:

• It is a reddish-brown organ

• Located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm.

• The weight in adults is about 1.5 kg

• The anatomy of the liver is divided into two parts: the right lobes and the left lobes.

• Each lobe is subdivided into smaller liver lobules;they are the functional units of the organ.

Cellular Organization of the Liver

Generally, the anatomical organization of the liver occupies various kinds of cells that perform their roles in their aspect. Some of those are:

Hepatocytes

• Hepatocytes are the main functional cells of the liver responsible for most of the metabolic, detoxification, and synthetic activities.

Kupffer Cells

• These are specialized macrophages for the breakdown of old red blood cells and clearing up foreign microorganisms.

Stellate Cells

• These are the storing cells for vitamin A and are also involved in the process of hepatic fibrosis.

Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells

• These are cells forming the lining of liver sinusoids serving to exchange the substances from the blood to the cells in the liver.

Blood Supply to the Liver

The liver has two major sources of blood supply:

• Hepatic Artery: Supplies blood to the liver already in an oxygen-enriched form from the heart.

• Portal Vein: It receives some nutrient-enriched blood from the digestive organs.

Processed, the blood leaves the liver via the hepatic veins and drains into the inferior vena cava.

Functions of the Liver

The functions of the liver can be broadly categorised into:

Metabolic Functions

• Protein metabolism: It synthesises important proteins like albumin, which helps in maintaining blood volume, and clotting factors necessary for blood coagulation.

• Carbohydrate metabolism: It stores glucose in the form of glycogen and releases it in amounts needed to maintain blood sugar.

• Lipid metabolism: The liver is a significant organ for regulating cholesterol synthesis and degradation. It plays a critical role in lipid metabolism.

Detoxification

Biotransformation by the liver change drugs and other toxins into forms readily excreted by the body.

Digestive Function

The liver produces bile, which contains bile salts which aids the digestion of fats and removes waste products from the body.

Common Disorders of the Liver

The liver is subject to numerous disorders/diseases: common ones include the following:

• Hepatitis: Hepatitis is an inflammation disease on the liver, mostly emanating from infection by some viruses, that is A, B, and C types.

• Cirrhosis: This is a long-term effect that leads to the scarring of liver tissue which is usually due to damage caused to the liver by, say, excessive alcohol abuse, or through chronic hepatitis.

• Fatty Liver Disease: This is fat accumulating in liver cells and very often arising as a problem consequent to, for instance, obesity or diabetes.

• Liver Cancer: Uncontrolled growth of the liver cells usually by chronic liver diseases

Health and Maintenance of the Liver

This, in turn, requires proper maintenance of the organ for fit and healthy well-being. Here are a few tips on how to keep your liver healthy:

• Balanced diet

• Avoid excessive alcohol

• Regular exercise

• Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B

• Periodic Check-Ups

Liver Diagram NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in NEET from this topic are:

• Structure and anatomy of the liver

• Functions of the liver

• Disorders related to liver

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. The toxic substances in the diet are detoxified in the human body by

1. Liver

2. Lungs

3. Kidney

4. Stomach

Correct answer: 1) Liver

Explanation:

Toxic chemicals in the human body must be detoxified by the liver. It removes waste materials, medications, and dangerous compounds from the blood. These compounds are broken down by the liver's enzymes, which facilitate the body's removal of them through bile or urine. The primary function of the lungs is the exchange of gases, specifically carbon dioxide and oxygen, rather than the detoxification of chemicals. The kidney's primary function is not to directly detoxify poisons; rather, it filters waste materials from the blood to create urine. Although it aids in digesting, the stomach is not a key player in detoxification.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Liver.

Q2. Among the following options, what is the primary storage form of carbohydrates in mammals, and where is it predominantly stored?

1. Lactic acid in Cardiac muscles

2. Glycogen in Liver and Skeletal muscles

3. Glucose in Liver and Adipose tissue

4. Glycogen in Liver and Spleen

Correct answer: 2) Glycogen in Liver and Skeletal muscles

Explanation:

Glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles is the correct answer. In mammals, glycogen serves as the primary storage form of carbohydrates. It is predominantly stored in the liver and skeletal muscles. Glycogen acts as a glucose reserve that can be broken down when energy demands increase.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2) Glycogen in Liver and Skeletal muscles.

Q3. Liver is the largest gland and is associated with functions, choose one which is not correct

1. Metabolism of carbohydrate

2. Digestion of fat

3. Formation of bile

4. Secretion of hormone called gastrin

Correct answer: 4) Secretion of hormone called gastrin

Explanation:

The liver plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including the secretion of a hormone known as gastrin. This hormone is responsible for stimulating the production of gastric acid in the stomach, aiding in digestion. In addition to this important function, the liver also performs a multitude of other vital tasks that are essential for maintaining overall bodily health and homeostasis secretion of a hormone called gastrin; as the liver performs all the other functions specified herein.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Secretion of a hormone called gastrin.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Histology of the Liver

• Pancreas Function in Human Body

• Digestion in Ruminants

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