32. The Liver Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main functions of the liver?

A

Detoxification and secretion, and metabolism of proteins and lipids

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2
Q

What are the anatomical regions of the liver?

A

Diaphragmatic surface and visceral surface

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3
Q

Where does the subphrenic recess lie?

A

Between the diaphragm and liver

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4
Q

How is the liver attached to the diaphragm?

A

Falciform ligament (runs through middle of liver), coronary ligament (directly below diaphragm), and left and right triangular ligaments (posterior surface)

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5
Q

What parts of the liver are peritonised?

A

All but porta hepatic and gallbladder bed

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6
Q

Which lobes form the right lobe of the liver?

A

Caudate (superior posterior), quadrate inferior posterior), and right lobe

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7
Q

How is the liver parenchyma supplied with oxygen?

A

Via the hepatic artery (branches from celiac artery)

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8
Q

How is nutrient rich blood received by the liver?

A

Via the portal vein (from the intestine and GI system)

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9
Q

What is the structure of a hepatic lobule?

A

Contains plates of hepatocytes with many sinusoids between. One central vein and a portal triad at each corner

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10
Q

What is contained within a portal triad?

A

Portal venue (from portal vein), portal arteriole, and a bile duct (receives bile from bile canaliculi)

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11
Q

What does the liver have instead of capillaries?

A

Sinusoids, where hepatic arterial blood mixes with portal venous blood

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12
Q

What are the characteristics of sinusoids in the liver?

A

Low resistance
Fenestrated with no basement membrane
Contain Kuppfer cells (hepatic macrophages)

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13
Q

What is the function of stellate cells in the liver?

A

Store retinoids, store GFs, may produce collagen

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14
Q

What is contained in the space of Disse?

Where is it located?

A

Loose CT, the site of stellate cells

Between hepatocytes and sinusoidal lumen

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15
Q

What are the phases of detoxification by the liver?

A

Modification
Conjugation
Further modification + excretion

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16
Q

Where does modification occur in the liver?
What does the process entail?
Why does this occur?

A

Primarily in ER of hepatocytes
Enzymatic incorporation of polar groups
Prevent free diffusion across membrane/reduces reuptake by SI

17
Q

What does the process of conjugation entail?
On what substances does this occur?
Why does this occur?

A

Conjugation to charged species
Carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl
Allows active transport of molecules

18
Q

How are smaller metabolites excreted?

How are larger metabolites excreted?

A

By the kidney

In bile

19
Q

How is bilirubin formed?

A

By the breakdown of Hb (80%) and from heme-containing proteins

20
Q

How does bilirubin travel in the blood?

A

Bound to albumin

21
Q

Where is albumin and bilirubin separated?

A

In the Space of Disse

22
Q

How is bilirubin excreted?

A

In bile

23
Q

Why is the maintenance of blood glucose essential?

A

The brain is sensitive to glucose levels. Too high causes complications (diabetes) and too low impairs NS function

24
Q

How does the liver maintain blood glucose levels?

A

Through the use of insulin and glucagon

25
Q

What will occur due to an increase in blood glucose?

A

Uptake of glucose by GLUT2 transporters
Insulin release
Glucose retention by hepatocytes
Glycogenesis in liver

26
Q

How does decreased blood glucose affect the liver?

A

Glucagon release from pancreas
Glycogen -> G1-P -> glucose in liver
Gluconeogenesis (from AA and triglycerides)

27
Q

How does the liver metabolise lipids?

A

Turns excess glucose and acetyl CoA into triglycerides to be stored or transported to adipose tissue and muscle
Also synthesises cholesterol

28
Q

Which proteins are synthesised in the liver?

A

All non-essential AA, nearly all plasma proteins