The Liver Flashcards
What gives the liver it’s brown appearance?
Many mitochondria
Where does the blood to the liver come from?
The GI system
What occurs in the first capillary bed of the hepatic portal system?
Nutrients and toxins are absorbed from the stomach and Intestine
What occurs in the second capillary (liver sinusoids) bed of the hepatic portal system?
Nutrients and toxins leave to the hepatocytes.
What is traveling in the portal vein?
Water
Water soluble vitamins
Electrolytes
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Intestinal hormones
Toxins
What is the end goal of the Krebs cycle?
To convert ammonia to urea
What does not travel in the portal vein?
Lipids
Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
What can the liver store?
Iron
Vitamin A
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Glycogen
What does the liver produce?
Albumin
Glycogen
Coagulation factors
Haematopoiesis in fetus
What can the liver break down?
Drugs
Hormones
Haemoglobin
Poisons
Aged red cells
What is the exocrine function of the liver?
The secretion of bile
Some endocrine functions of the liver:
Produces angiotensin, thrombopoetin, IGF-1
Activates Vit D, thyroxine
Breaks down Insulin, glucagon, oestrogen and progesterone
Characteristics of hepatocytes:
Numerous mitochondria, perioxisomes, ribosomes, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticuli, and Golgi complexes
Glycogen deposits
What are the proportions of the blood supply to the liver?
25% hepatic artery
75% portal vein
What is a sinusoid?
An irregular tube space for the passage of blood. It’s endothelial cells have large gaps.
