liver Flashcards
major functions of liver
Metabolism &/or storage of: Fat, CHO, PRO, vitamins and minerals
Blood volume reservoir: Distends/compresses to alter circulating blood volume
Blood filter: Helps purify blood
Blood clotting factors: Including prothrombin & fibrinogen
Drug metabolism and detoxification
Is the liver the largest organ in the body?
YES, it weighs lbs.
where does the liver lie?
the right epigastric region
where is most of the liver enclosed?
in the peritoneum
what type of capsule divides the liver into a left & right low?
fibrous capsule
what the the functional parts of the liver
the lobules
fill in the blank: each lobule has rows of hepatic cells (_) arranged around a central vein
hepatocytes
fill in the blank: The _ (capillaries) are in between the hepatocytes and are lined with Kupffer cells
sinusoids
Fill in the blank: _ _ remove bacteria and toxins from
the blood
Kupffer cells
portal circulation
The portal circulatory system brings blood to the liver from the stomach, intestines, spleen, and pancreas
The blood enters the liver through the portal vein.
The absorbed products of digestion come directly to the liver, and are sent to the lobules.
This is the “first pass effect”
The functions of the liver are numerous and
can be summarized into 4 main categories:
digestive
endocrine
hematologic
excretory
digestive function
Bile secretion (helps with fat digestion).
Processing and storage of fats, carbs, proteins, and minerals.
endocrine funtion
Metabolism of glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids, and sex hormones.
Regulation of carb, fat, and protein metabolism.
hematologic function
Temporary storage of blood.
Removal of bilirubin (broken down hgb) from bloodstream.
Synthesis of blood clotting factors.
excretory function
Excretion of bile pigment & cholesterol.
Synthesis of urea
Detoxification of drugs and other foreign substances
typically when talking about LFTs we are talking about which labs?
ALT, AST, & Alk Phos.
thinking of all liver tests which increase and which decrease when the liver is not working?
ALT, AST, & Alk Phos = increase.
bilirubin= increase
serum ammonia= increase
serum protein= decrease
serum albumin= decrease
prothrombin time = increase.
jaundice [icterus]: what is it and whats the cause?
Yellowish discoloration of skin and deep tissues.
Caused by increased level of bilirubin in the bloodstream.
Usually causes problems and is noticeable with total bilirubin is greater than 2-2.5mg/dl.
Look at conjugated versus unconjugated to determine possible cause.
3 classifications of jaundice
Hemolytic: increased breakdown of RBCs
Hepatocellular: liver unable to take up bilirubin from blood or unable to conjugate it
Obstructive: decreased or obstructed flow of bile
bilirubin
By product of heme breakdown, mainly hemoglobin
Elevations of INDIRECT (unconjugated) bilirubin =
bilirubin overproduction OR impaired liver functioning
overproduction ex: hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis.
Elevations of DIRECT (conjugated) bilirubin =
liver working, but can’t get the bilirubin out
EX. bile duct obstruction, gall stones.
Jaundice: Clinical Manifestations
Urine = darker
Liver enzymes = elevated
Stools = Normal or clay colored, d/t liver infection that reduces bile production or flow.
Pruritis d/t bilirubin build up; specifically on palms of hands & soles of feet or generalized.
define viral hepatits
Inflammation of the liver.
systemic virus that affects the liver.