The liver is one of the important organs of our body, liable for hundreds of chemical actions that the body needs to survive. It is also a gland because it hides chemicals that are used by other parts of our body. For these reasons the liver is both an organ; in fact, it is the largest internal organ in the body.
What Is the Liver Function?
Liver functions: It makes many of the chemicals required by the body to function normally, it breaks down and detoxifies substances in the body, and it also acts as a storage unit.
Hepatocytes are responsible for making many of the proteins in the body that are required for many functions, including blood clotting factors, and albumin, required to maintain fluid within the circulation system. The liver is also liable for manufacturing cholesterol and triglycerides. Sugars are also produced in the liver function and the organ is responsible for turning glucose into glycogen that can be stored both in the liver and in the muscle cells. The liver function also makes bile that helps with food digestion.
The liver also stores vitamins and chemicals that the body requires as building blocks. These includes:
- vitamin B12,
- folic acid,
- iron required to make red blood cells,
- vitamin A for vision,
- vitamin D for calcium absorption, and
- vitamin K to help blood to clot properly.
Main functions of the liver
Synthesis
The liver produces and exports many proteins and lipids into the blood, so reduced levels of certain proteins may indicate damage to the liver.
Excretion
When red blood cells die a lot of is recycled, and what can’t be recycled is born-again into animal pigment. Some animal pigment moves as gall into the vesica, whereas some directly flow down the common bile duct and thru the small intestine, coloring the fecal matter brown.
Storage
Glucose is changed into the polysaccharide glycogen, which is kept in the liver. When there is too much glucose, it is changed into fat, which can be deposited in the liver and away. The liver also stores iron, vitamins, and copper.
Detoxification
In addition to synthesis and use, the liver contains a role in detoxification. This includes metabolizing plant, animal, and plant life toxins, also as medicine and medicine.
Liver disease
Jaundice
Cholestasis
Cirrhosis
Ascites
Cancer
Fatty liver (steatosis)