Liver Flashcards
Where is the liver located
RUQ
Where does the liver’s blood supply come from
hepatic artery and portal vein
Hepatocytes
functional cells of the liver that are capable of regeneration and responsible for excreting metabolic substances
Path of bile secretion
synthesized in liver –> secreted into hepatic duct –> common bile duct –> small intestine
Role of the liver (8)
digestion, bilirubin metabolism, fat and protein metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, hematologic role, endocrine role, detoxification
Digestion
responsible for bile secretion to help with fat digestion in the small intestine
What is bile formed by
hepatocytes
Where is bile stored
the gallbladder
When and where is bile released
in response to fats intake, small intestine
How is bilirubin derieved
from the breakdown of aged RBCs
Unconjugated bilirubin
not water soluable
Conjugated bilirubin
water soluable
Why does bilirubin need to be conjugated
bilirubin has to be water soluble in order to be excreted in the bile
Bilirubin metabolism path
Unconjugated in the bloodstream –> conjugation process in the liver –> conjugated in the small intestine
Fat metabolism pathway
the liver excretes bile into the intestine to break down fats into triglycerides –> triglycerides are absorbed into the portal vein –> enter the liver to be broken down –> broken down into fatty acids, cholesterol, and glycerol