1. Structure of liver.
The liver is a large, reddish-brown organ located in the upper right side of the abdomen,
just below the diaphragm. It is the largest internal organ in the human body and
performs numerous vital functions. The structure of the liver can be described as follows:
1. Lobes: The liver consists of two main lobes, the right lobe and the left lobe. The
right lobe is larger than the left lobe and occupies most of the space in the upper
abdomen.
2. Lobules: Each lobe is composed of thousands of tiny functional units called
lobules. Lobules are hexagonal in shape and are roughly 1-2 mm in diameter.
3. Hepatocytes: The lobules are made up of hepatocytes, which are the primary
functional cells of the liver. Hepatocytes play a crucial role in the liver's metabolic
and synthetic functions.
4. Hepatic Portal System: The liver receives blood from two main sources: the
hepatic artery and the portal vein. The hepatic portal vein carries nutrient-rich
blood from the digestive organs to the liver for processing and detoxification.
5. Bile Ducts: Bile, a substance produced by the liver, is responsible for the digestion
and absorption of fats. Bile ducts carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder for
storage or directly to the small intestine for digestion.
6. Gallbladder: While not part of the liver itself, the gallbladder is closely associated
with the liver. It stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, releasing it
into the small intestine when needed.
7. Blood Supply: The liver has a rich blood supply to facilitate its numerous
functions. In addition to the hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery, the liver is
drained by the hepatic veins, which carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
8. Connective Tissue: The liver is enveloped in a connective tissue capsule called
Glisson's capsule, which provides structural support and protection.
The intricate structure of the liver allows it to perform essential functions such as
detoxification, metabolism of nutrients, production of bile, storage of vitamins and
minerals, and synthesis of important proteins. Its unique ability to regenerate also
enables it to recover from certain types of damage and injury.
