7. Liver in Health Flashcards
What are the cells of the liver?
Hepatocytes, enodthelial cells, Kupffer cells, Stellate cells, biliary epithelium, natural killer cells.
What is the role of hepatocytes?
Liver function.
What is the role of endothelial cells of the liver?
Sinusoidal circulation.
What is the role of Kupffer cells?
Filter portal blood.
What is the role of Stellate liver cells?
Extracellular matrix.
What is the role of the biliary epithelium?
Line bile ducts.
What is the role the NK cells of the liver?
Immune reaction.
Where does the liver get most of its blood from?
The portal vein, supplies 85%.
What are some results of portal hypertension?
Ascites and porto-systemic shunting, oesophageal varices, caput medusae, superior haemorrhoidal veins.
What is the main role of zone 1 and zone 3 of hepatocytes?
1 - synthesis and export. 3 - metabolism.
What are the functions of the liver?
Handle portal venous blood, metabolism of nutrients, glucose homeostasis, lipid and protein synthesis, bilirubin metabolism and bile production, metabolism of drugs and toxins.
How does the liver act as a glucose buffer?
If glucose is high, it synthesises glycogen. If glucose is low, it releases glucose from 75% glycogen and 25% from gluconeogenesis.
What is the impact of poor liver function on blood glucose levels?
They rise 2-3 x normal after a meal.
What does the liver do to metabolise proteins?
Deaminates amino acids, urea production -> removal of NH3.
What is the urea cycle?
Amines from the gut flora are absorbed from the gut, taken up by the liver, converted to urea, transported to blood and excreted by the kidneys.
