Page 22 - How It Works - Book of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, 12

AMAZIG ANSWERS TO CURIOUS QUESTIONS -------------------

What does the liver do?

The human liver is the ultimate multitasker -it performs many
different functions all at the same time without you even asking

he liver is the largest internal organ in source. It is also responsible for breaking down the rest of the body to use or excrete. The liver
the human body and has over 500 complex fat molecules and building them up into also breaks down old blood cells, produces
T functions. In fact, it is the second most cholesterol and triglycerides, which the body antibodies to fight infection and recycles
complex organ after the brain and is involved in needs but in excess are bad. hormones such as adrenaline. Numerous
almost every aspect of the body's metabolic The liver rna kes many complex proteins, essential vitamins and minerals are stored in the
processes. Its main functions are energy including clotting factors which are vital in liver: vitamins A, D, E and K, iron and copper.
production, removal of harmful substances and arresting bleeding. Bile, which helps digest fat in Such a complex organ is also unfortunately
the production of proteins. These tasks are carried the intestines, is produced in the liver and stored prone to diseases. Cancers !most often metastatic
out within liver cells called hepatocytes, which sit in the adjacent gallbladder. from other sources), infections !hepatitis) and
in complex arrangements to maximise efficiency. The liver also plays a key role in detoxifying cirrhosis Ia form of fibrosis often caused by
The liver is the body's main powerhouse, the blood. Waste products, toxins and drugs are excess alcohol consumption) are just some of
producing and storing glucose as a key energy processed here into forms which are easier for those which can affect the liver. 0

What is the hepaliar regi Eight segments
Functionally, there are eight
Two halves segments of the liver, which are
The liver is anatomically split into based upon the distribution of
two halves: left and right. There veins draining these segments.
are four lobes, and the right lobe
is the largest.

The gallbladder
The gallbladder and liver
are intimately related. Bile, which
helps digest fat. is produced in the
liver and stored in the gallbladder.

The common
bile duct
This duct is small. but vital in
the human body. It carries bile
from the liver and gallbladder
into the duodenum where it
helps digest fat.

Feel your liver
Take a deep breath in and feel
just under the right lower The portal triad
edge of your ribs - in some The common bile duct,
people the lower edge of the hepatic artery and
liver can be felt. hepatic portal vein form
the portal triad, which
are the vital inflows and

The biggest
organ
The liver is the
largest of the internal Digestion
organs, sitting in the Once nutrients from food
right upper quadrant have been absorbed in
of the abdomen, just the small intestine, they
under the rib cage are transported to the liver
and attached to the via the hepatic portal vein
underside of the (not shown here) for
diaphragm. energy production.

22 How It TtOrks WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net