[Physiology] Liver Structure and Function

Question 1

what is the largest organ in the body

Answer 1

liver (1.4kg)

Question 2

where is the liver located

Answer 2

upper right quadrant of abdomen

Question 3

where is the liver located in relation to the diaphragm

Answer 3

tucked against inferior surface of diaphragm

Question 4

what are the two major lobes of the liver

Answer 4

right and left

Question 5

what are the two minor lobes of the liver

Answer 5

caudate and quadrate

Question 6

what covers the liver

Answer 6

connective tissue capsule and visceral peritoneum except for bare area

Question 7

what is the bare area of the liver

Answer 7

small area on diaphragmatic surface surrounded by coronary ligament

Question 8

what follows the septa throughout the liver

Answer 8

connective tissue capsule

Question 9

what does the septa divide the liver into

Answer 9

hexagonal lobules

Question 10

what is the portal triad

Answer 10

hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery, hepatic duct

Question 11

where is the portal triad located

Answer 11

at each corner of hexagonal lobule

Question 12

what else is also located at each corner of hexagonal lobule

Answer 12

nerves and lymph nodes

Question 13

what is at the centre of each liver lobule

Answer 13

hepatic veins

Question 14

where do hepatic veins drain to

Answer 14

IVC

Question 15

where do hepatic cords radiate out from

Answer 15

central veins

Question 16

what are hepatic cords composed of

Answer 16

hepatocytes

Question 17

what are hepatocytes

Answer 17

functional cells of the liver

Question 18

where do bile canaliculus lie

Answer 18

between cells within each cord

Question 19

what are the spaces between hepatic cords

Answer 19

hepatic sinusoids (blood channels)

Question 20

what is the alimentary role of the liver

Answer 20

production & secretion of bile

Question 21

what are the components of bile synthesised in the liver

Answer 21

Bile acids
Lecithin
Cholesterol

Question 22

what are the six components of bile

Answer 22

Bile acids
Lecithin
Cholesterol
Bile Pigments
Toxic Metals
Bicarbonate

Question 23

what are five of the compoents of bile secreted by

Answer 23

hepatocytes

Question 24

what component is secreted by duct cells

Answer 24

HCO3

Question 25

bile pigments

Answer 25

breakdown products of haemoglobin from old/damaged erythrocytes

Question 26

bilirubin

Answer 26

(predominant bile pigment) - extracted from blood by hepatocytes and secreted into bile

Question 27

what is bilirubin also known as

Answer 27

yellow bile

Question 28

what is bilirubin modified by

Answer 28

bacterial enzymes ⇒ brown pigments brown faeces

Question 29

Reabsorbed bilirubin excreted in urine

Answer 29

yellow urine

Question 30

bile acids

Answer 30

Synthesised in liver from cholesterol (0.5g/day)

Question 31

what occur to bile acids prior to secretion

Answer 31

bile acids conjugated with glycine or taurine ⇒ Bile Salts (↑ solubility)

Question 32

what happens to secreted bile salts

Answer 32

recycled via enterohepatic circulation

Question 33

what is the gall bladder

Answer 33

Saclike structure (8 cm long x 4 cm wide) on inferior surface of liver

Question 34

what are the three layers in the gall bladder wall

Answer 34

mucosa muscularis serosa

Question 35

mucosa

Answer 35

(folded ⇒ rugae ⇒ expansion)

Question 36

muscalaris

Answer 36

(smooth muscle) ⇒ contraction

Question 37

serosa

Answer 37

(connective tissue)

Question 37

sphincter of oddi

Answer 37

controls release of bile and pancreatic juice into duodenum

Question 38

what happens when sphincter of oddi is contracted

Answer 38

bile forced back into gallbladder

Question 39

what does gallbladder do to bile

Answer 39

concentrates bile 5-20 times (absorbs Na+ & H2O)

Question 40

what does fat in the duodenum cause

Answer 40

release of CCK

Question 41

what occurs when CCK is released

Answer 41

(A) Sphincter of Oddi relaxes (B) Gallbladder contracts

Question 42

what is produced when acid is in duodenum

Answer 42

secretin

Question 43

what does secretin cause

Answer 43

↓ Gastric acid secretion ↓ Gastric emptying ↑ Duodenal HCO3 secretion ↑ Pancreatic HCO3 secretion ↑ Bile duct HCO3 secretion

Question 44

what does secretin result in

Answer 44

acid neutralisation

Question 45

what does fat/amino acids in duodenum cause to be released

Answer 45

CCK

Question 46

what does CCK result in

Answer 46

↓ Gastric emptying ↑ Pancreatic enzyme secretion Gallbladder contraction Relaxation of Sphincter of Oddi

Question 47

what is the end goal of CCK

Answer 47

digestion