Liver Function
The liver is the body’s largest gland, weighing approximately three to four pounds. It is located inferior to the diaphragm within the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of the abdominal cavity. Without the liver, our bodies would be poisoned and unfit for us to do anything at all. Our livers have a tremendous variety of functions – not limited to allowing us to consume alcoholic beverages. With the help of the kidneys, the liver clears the blood of drugs, alcohol, and other poisonous substances by altering the chemical structures, making them water-soluble, and excreting them in the bile. Additionally, the crucial role of our liver to synthesize most of the proteins in our blood such as coagulation factors for clotting, and bile for digestion and absorption of fats and vitamins, highlights the extensive involvement of this organ. The livers associations with nutrition are also evident – from acting as a storage for essential sugars, fats, and vitamins to breaking down and enabling cholesterol absorption. Metabolically, the liver can also inactivate hormones and regulates the amount of testosterone and estrogen circulating within the blood. Therefore, it is important to be aware that the overall maintenance of our health relies heavily on how efficient our livers function. (Seeley, Stephens, & Tate, 2000).
Liver Function Tests
(Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, & Harding, 2017).
Source: TED-Ed. (2014).
LiverCare 