The human liver, which is part of the digestive system, creates the conditions for communication with the outside world and life. This is a very large gland, which plays a leading role in neutralizing the consequences of an unhe althy lifestyle and in the synthesis of bile. The structure and functions of the liver are important and able to regulate antibacterial, immune, and digestive processes.
Location and description of the organ
Looking like a mushroom cap, the liver fills the upper right side of the abdomen. Its top touches the 4th-5th intercostal space, the bottom is located at the level of the tenth, and the front part is near the sixth costal cartilage.
The diaphragmatic (upper) face has a concave shape, and the visceral (lower) face is divided by three longitudinal grooves. Both faces are separated from each other by a sharp lower edge. The upper posterior side opposite to them is considered as the posterior plane. The organ weighs an average of one and a half kilograms, and the temperature in it is always high. It can self-repair because it hasthe ability to regenerate. But if the liver stops working, a person’s life stops in a couple of days.
Meaning of the liver
The functions and role of the liver in the body can hardly be overestimated. Among the organs and glands, it is the largest. In just a minute, the liver passes through itself up to one and a half liters of blood, most of which enters the vessels of the digestive organs, and the rest is responsible for supplying oxygen. Thus, it can be argued that this organ maintains the he alth of the body by filtering the blood and restoring the normal level of carbohydrates and proteins.
The liver has a unique ability to regenerate. But if more than half of its tissue is lost, the person becomes unviable.
What is the function of the liver?
The liver plays a leading role in the digestive system. From the huge variety of its functions, one can distinguish such as:
- production of plasma proteins;
- detoxification;
- rebirth into ammonia urea;
- thermoregulation;
- constant production of bile;
- synthesis of enzymes and hormones involved in the process of digestion;
- neutralization of exogenous and endogenous types of substances, vitamins, residual metabolic products and hormones, as well as their removal from the body;
- normalization of lipid metabolism;
- normalization of blood clotting and digestion processes, as well as the metabolism of vitamins and carbohydrate metabolism;
- rebirth of vitamin A into carotene.
Detox function
It consists in the disinfection of harmful substances that enter the body with blood through the digestive organs through the portal vein, and their neutralization. The composition of the blood entering through this vessel contains not only nutrients, but also toxins that got there as a result of the digestion of food. A large number of different processes take place simultaneously in the small intestine. Among them are putrefactive, due to which harmful substances arise (phenol, cresol, skatole, indole, etc.). Also, compounds that are not characteristic of the human body include hazardous substances contained in tobacco smoke and near roads, alcohol and pharmacological preparations. All this is absorbed into the blood, and then, together with it, enters the liver.
Therefore, the main task of the detoxifying function of the liver in the body is the destruction and processing of compounds hazardous to he alth and their removal into the intestines along with bile. Filtration occurs through various biological processes such as methylation, synthesis of protective substances, oxidation, acetylation, reduction.
Another feature of this function is a decrease in the activity of hormones entering the liver.
Excretory
Carried out due to the secretion of bile, which mostly consists of water, as well as bile acids, lecithin, cholesterol and the pigment - bilirubin. In the process of contact, bile acids and their s alts break fats into small drops, after which the process of their digestion becomesmuch easier. Also, with the help of these acids, the process of absorption of cholesterol, vitamins, calcium s alts and insoluble fatty acids is activated.
Thanks to this function of the liver, the secretion of juice by the pancreas and the bile formation of the organ itself are stimulated.
But here it should be remembered that normal purification from dangerous blood compounds is possible only if the bile streams are passable.
Synthetic (metabolic) functions of the liver
Their role is in the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, the connection of the latter with bile acids, the activation of vitamins. During protein synthesis, amino acids are broken down, and ammonia becomes neutral urea. More than half of the protein compounds formed in the body undergo quantitative and qualitative changes in the liver. That is why its normal operation determines the same functioning of other systems and organs.
Due to a diseased liver, the level of synthesis of proteins and other substances responsible for the protective function of the human body decreases.
In carbohydrate metabolism, the liver produces glucose from galactose and fructose, and then stores it as glycogen. This organ maintains the level and concentration of glucose constant and does it around the clock.
Glucose ensures the vital activity of absolutely all cells of the human body and is a source of energy. If its level decreases, then all organs fail, and first of all, the brain. Extremely low levels of this substance canlead to loss of consciousness and muscle cramps.
Energy
Any organism, including the human, consists of structural units - cells. Their nuclei contain information encrypted in nucleic acid, thanks to which all cells have a fundamentally identical structure. Despite this, they perform different functions. And such a purpose depends on the program embedded in the core.
All cells need an external source of energy for normal existence, feeding them when necessary. It is the human liver that performs the functions of a reserve resource of energy reserves stored and synthesized in the form of triglycerides, glycogens and proteins.
Barrier
Among the tasks performed by this body, this one is perhaps the most important. The blood supply here is unique because of the special anatomy, because blood comes here immediately from a vein and an artery. The barrier function of the liver limits the harmful effects of toxic and chemical substances. This happens due to several biochemical processes (dissolution in water, oxidation and breakdown of dangerous compounds by glucuronic acid and taurine) performed by enzymes.
If a serious poisoning develops in the body, creatine synthesis begins in the liver, and bacteria and parasites are excreted from it along with urea. With the help of homeostasis, partially performed in this organ, microelements synthesized in it are released into the blood.
The human liver performsbarrier functions only if a certain amount of protein regularly enters the body. To do this, you need to eat right every day and drink enough water.
Liver dysfunction
Violation of any liver function can lead to a pathological condition. There are a lot of reasons that affect the violation of the process, but the main ones are unbalanced nutrition, excess weight, alcohol.
Such violations contribute to the occurrence of a violation of water metabolism, which is manifested by edema. Immunity becomes low, and, as a result, constant colds. Nervous disorders can also occur, manifested in frequent headaches, irritability, insomnia and depression. Blood clotting deteriorates, which leads to bleeding. Digestion is disturbed, because of it there is a decrease in appetite, nausea and constipation. The skin may become dry and itchy. Pathological processes contribute to hair loss and the occurrence of diabetes, acne and obesity.
Quite often, doctors begin to treat the symptoms listed above without noticing what liver function has been affected. This organ has no nerve endings, so very often when it is destroyed, a person does not experience pain.
Regeneration and age-related changes
Until now, liver regeneration has not been fully explored by science. It is proved that after the defeat, the matter of the organ is able to renew itself. And this contributes to the division of genetic information located in the usual set of chromosomes. Therefore, cells are synthesized evenwhen removing part of it. Liver functions are restored and the size increases to its original size.
Studying regeneration experts say that the renewal of the body occurs in the period from three months to six months. But according to the latest research, he recovers from surgery within three weeks.
The situation may worsen due to tissue scarring. This leads to liver failure and replacement of he althy cells. But when the required volume is regenerated, cell division stops.
Due to the increase in age, the structure and functionality of the liver change. It reaches its maximum size by the age of forty, and then the weight and size become smaller. The ability to update is gradually reduced. The production of globulins and albumins is also reduced. There is a slight decrease in glycogen function and fat metabolism. There are also differences in the composition and volume of bile. But on the level of vitality, such changes are not displayed.
If the liver is kept in order, cleaned regularly, then it works properly all its life. This body is a little aging. And periodic medical examinations will help to identify various changes in the early stages and prevent the development of complications.
