Liver |
Liverby Nicole Siaica The liver and
gall bladder are responsible for a number of functions. One of the main
ones relates to digestion, and the generation of digestive enzymes to be
introduced into the small intestine. The liver, however, also helps
control metabolism and works with the body's immune system to combat rogue
cells and organisms which threaten the body (in a process called "phagocytosis").
The liver is the largest of the body's glands and is responsible for
several important functions. Weighing about three pounds, the red-brown
organ features a high degree of vascularity which is responsible for its
dark color. Located mostly on the right side of the abdominal cavity, just
above the duodenum, the liver aids in the digestion of fats by
secreting bile into the duodenum. The liver also destroys red blood cells,
forms urea for the excretion of nitrogenous wastes, form fibrinogen, used
in blood coagulation, stores glycogen, helps in the metabolism and storage
of vitamins, and produces protective and antitoxic substances, among its
many functions. Liver takes bile used by the small intestine which is used to break up fat into smaller particles to ease in the digestion of fat. The liver stores food as fat or sugar and sends it to your body as needed.
|
