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The liver is the largest gland in the body. It lies on the right-hand side of the body, below the breast, filling the space behind the ribs. It is divided into two main lobes (parts). Tiny tubes called bile ducts make a network through the liver. It is connected to the diaphragm and abdominal walls by five ligaments. Blood from the veins, containing nutrients from digested food, is brought to the liver in the hepatic portal vein. The hepatic artery supplies it with oxygenated blood.
The liver is the only organ of the body that can repair and re-grow itself after damage. There is evidence that growing older is not a reason for the liver to function any less efficiently.
It is estimated that the liver has over 500 different functions.
In summary:
The liver is important in the digestion of food. It makes bile, which is needed to digest fats. It helps to keep the blood clean and well-maintained. It makes many chemicals important for functions all over the body, and it helps the body to fight infections and to get rid of poisons.
In more detail:
It makes bile. Bile is needed for the digestion of fats. The bile is stored in the gallbladder (which is joined to the liver) and released into the duodenum (the small intestine) through the common bile duct.
It helps with the breaking down of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in digestion. It stores carbohydrates in a form that allows a quick release of energy when it is needed. This is why people with liver damage may lack energy.
It has many functions relating to keeping the blood clean and healthy:
The liver disposes of worn out red blood cells (re-using them in making bile).
It regulates blood sugar.
It removes excess amino acids in the blood, breaking them down into ammonia and then urea.
It controls the level of fats in the blood by making cholesterol.
It makes plasma proteins, needed to help the blood to clot (coagulants), and also to keep the blood from thickening too much (anticoagulants).
It helps the body to destroy poisons such as alcohol, and to get rid of other unwanted substances.
It makes, and regulates, many hormones, including sex hormones.
