3.1:1 Liver structure

Question 1

What are the roles of the liver?

Answer 1

1. Glycogen, iron, vitamine storage
2. Protein synthesis
3. Detoxification (inc drugs)
4. Red blood cell destruction
5. Hormone and cholesterol synthesis
6. Bile production
7. Metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates

Question 2

Where does the portal vein carry blood too?

Answer 2

Blood into the liver from the GI tract

Question 3

What does the hepatic artery do?

Answer 3

Supplys oxygenated blood (nutrients) to the liver, duodenum, pancreas, gall bladder, pylorus of the stomach

Question 4

What is the function of kupffer cells ?

Answer 4

Contains macrophages which are Looking for infectious material (virus anmd bacteria)

Question 5

What is the role of the central vein?

Answer 5

Transports blood to the heart which is then pumped to the rest of the body

Question 6

What is chronic liver disease?

Answer 6

Initially patient still has enoough capacity to perform functions of the liver- Compensated liver disease

Advannced stages- CApacity of liver is insufficient. Normal fucntion, metabolsim is affected- decomponsated liver disease

Question 7

What is hepatitis and what is it caused by?

Answer 7

Inflammation of the liver caused by alcohol and viruses e.g. hepatisis A, B and C

Question 8

How is alcohoil associated with liver disease (how does it cause liver disease)

Answer 8

Alcoholic fatty liver disease- Build up of fatty acid in the liver (reversible if alcohol consumption stops)

Question 9

What are the 3 stages of liver disease associated with alcohol ?

Answer 9

Alcoholic fatty liver disease- Build up of fatty acid in the liver (reversible if alcohol consumption stops)

Alcoholic hepatitis-
Second stage of liver damage
Prolonged alcohol misuse

Cirhhosis
Final stage
Scaring and loss of function
Irreversible

Question 10

What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and what can it lead to?

Answer 10

Build up of fatty acids in liver due to high BMI
Can lead to steathohepatitis (associated with being fat)
Eventually cirrhosis

Question 11

What can inhaance the chances of developing liver cancer?

Answer 11

Smoking with hepititis B and C

Question 12

What drugs can increase the risk of liver damage duue to toxicity?

Answer 12

Amiodarone 
Antibiotics e.g co-amoxiclav and flucloxacillin
Azathioprin
Carbamazepine
Isoniazid 
Methatrexate
NSAIDs
Paracetamol 
Phenytoin
Rifamprcin
Sodium valproate 
Statins

Question 13

How can you manage drug toxicity to reduce the risks of liver damage in patients?

Answer 13

Monitor LFT