Liver Physiology Flashcards
what are the 5 main functions of the liver
- metabolism
- detoxification
- excretion
- storage
- synthesis
metabolism function of the liver
- process nutrients, drugs, and bacteria
- site of first pass metabolism
- site of gluconeogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, deamination of amino acids
detoxification function of the liver
- limits entry of toxic substances into the bloodstream
- extracts toxins from elsewhere in the body and converts them into excrete-able forms
what is the main blood supply to the liver
venous (portal vein)
what does the liver store
glycogen
vitamins (B12, D, A)
copper
iron
lobes of the liver
- caudate
- right lateral
- right medial
- quadrate
- left medial
- left lateral
where is the gallbladder located
in between the right medial and quadrate lobes
liver lobules
hexagonally shaped functional units of the liver
hepatic triad
hepatic artery
portal vein
bile duct
where is the central vein located
in the center of the lobule
what direction do sinusoids run
from hepatic triad to central vein (outside –> inside of lobule)
what direction do bile canaliculi run
from center of lobule –> bile ductules (inside –> outside of lobule)
hepatocytes
polarized epithelial cells with a strong ability to regenerate
polarization of hepatocytes
apical: (sides) forms the bile canaliuli
basal: (top/bottom) contacts the sinusoids to detoxify blood as it passes through
zone 1
periportal zone
located around the hepatic triad (outside of lobule)
receives the highest concentration of oxygen, insulin, glucagon, and amino acids
function: gluconeogenesis, protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, urea cycle
zone 3
centrilobular zone
located around the central vein (inside of lobule)
receives the lowest concentration of oxygen and nutrients
function: CYP450 metabolism, glycolysis, lipogenesis, detoxification
what two mechanisms does the liver use to detoxify
- kupffer cells
- hepatocytes
kupffer cells
resident macrophages; phagocytic cells that line the sinusoids of the liver and are involved in RBC breakdown
- detect foreign material in sinusoids
- sample for immune responses (presents to T cells w/ MHC II)
- clear gut-derived toxins
- secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines
hepatocyte detox function
contain metabolic enzymes that solubilize toxins
site of phase 1 and 2 reactions
hepatocyte detox function
contain metabolic enzymes that solubilize toxins
site of phase 1 and 2 reactions
products get excreted into:
- bile –> feces
- bloodstream –> kidneys –> urine