Chapter 16 - The Liver, Biliary System, Pancreas Flashcards
-largest organ in body, right upper abdominal area, beneath the diaphragm
-has a double blood supply:
portal vein
hepatic artery
the liver
- metabolism: carbohydrates, protein, and fat delivered through the portal circulation
- synthesis: plasma proteins, clotting factors
- storage: vitamin B12, & others
- detoxification and excretion
functions of the liver
75% of blood, drains spleen and GI tract, rich in nutrients absorbed from intestines, low in oxygen
portal vein
rest of blood, high in oxygen, low in nutrients
hepatic artery
- from the breakdown of red blood cells
- when RBCs are broken down, iron is reused & bilirubin is excreted in it
- it is an aqueous solution with various dissolved substances: -conjugated bilirubin -bile salts
- stored in galbladder
- does not contain digestive enzymes
Bile
Hepatitis A
serious? vaccine? transmitted?
- best one to get
- excreted thru nose, throat, stool (person-to-person)
- self-limiting, no carriers
- has a vaccine
- RNA containing virus
Hepatitis B
serious? vaccine? transmitted?
- worst one to get
- transmitted thru bodily fluids
- 10% chronic carriers
- infected lack anti-HBs
- has a vaccine
- DNA containing virus
Hepatitis C
serious? vaccine? transmitted?
- RNA virus
- blood and bodily fluids
- 75% become carriers - many develop chronic liver disease
- no vaccine
- IV drug use
- fat accumulates in liver secondary to injury
- common in heavy drinkers/alcoholics
- may be caused by chemicals and solvents
- impaired liver function
- REVERSIBLE
Fatty Liver
3 stages of progression:
1) Alcoholic fatty liver: mildest form
2) alcoholic hepatitis: liver cell necrosis
3) alcoholic cirrhosis: most advanced, diffuse scarring, disturbed liver function
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Diffuse scarring of the liver from any cause with derangement of liver function and regeneration.
- alcoholic liver disease
- chronic hepatitis
- severe liver necrosis
- repeated liver injury
- bile duct obstruction
Liver Cirrhosis
- formation of stones in the gallbladder
- higher in women b/c estrogen excess
- solubility of cholesterol depends on ratio of cholesterol to bile salts and lecithin
- may result in cystic duct obstruction
Cholelithiasis
-inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholecystitis
- aspirin may increase injurious effects of virus
- liver damage
- brain damage
- affects infants & children
- fatty liver w/ liver dysfunction
- cerebral edema w/ neurologic dysfunction
- no treatment
Reye’s Syndrome
Uncommon, occur in women taking contraceptive pills
Benign liver adenoma
- common in developed countries
- spread from primary sites such as GI tract, lung, breast
- tumor cells carried in blood and delivered to the liver via hepatic artery
metastatic liver carcinoma
yellow discoloration of skin and sclera from accumulation of bile pigment in tissues and body fluids
-3 causes of accumulation
jaundice
increased breakdown of red cells
hemolytic jaundice
liver injury impairing conjugation of bilirubin
hepatocellular jaundice
bile duct obstructed by tumor or stone impairing delivery of bile into duodenum
obstructive jaundice
