The Liver, Gall Bladder and Pancreas Flashcards
Where does the liver sit in the body?
Greater part of the right hypochondriac region, part of epigastric and part of the left hypochondriac regions
The appearance of the liver?
The anterior surface is smooth and curved to fit under the diaphragm.
The posterior surface is irregular
Functions of the Liver
Carbohydrate metabolism Fat metabolism Protein metabolism Breakdown of blood cells + micro defence Detoxification of drugs Inactivation of hormones Storage Secretion of bile
How many lobes does the liver have and what are the names?
4 lobes
Right, left, caudate (superiorly), quadrate (inferiorly)
What is the portal fissure and what enters via there?
Portal fissure- is where everything enters the liver. Portal vein Hepatic artery Nerve fibres Lymph ducts Right and left hepatic ducts
Microstructure of the liver?
Made up of lobules-
Hexagonal in outline, formed from cuboidal cells called hepatocytes arrange in pairs of columns radiating from a central vein
Between the columns are sinusoids (blood vessels with incomplete walls)
Macrostructure of the liver?
- Thin inelastic capsule and completely enclosed by a layer of peritoneum
- Held in place by ligaments and the pressure of the other organs
- 4 lobes
- Portal fissue
What are macrophages and what do they do?
Macrophages – Kupffer cells, eat worn out blood cells and foreign particles
What are Bile canaliculi?
Bile canaliculi (small channels) run between the hepatic cells and join up to form larger and larger bile canals until they form the right and left hepatic ducts. The liver secretes bile so it travels through the channels.
Carbohydrate metabolism?
- Maintains plasma glucose levels.
- After a meal, glucose is converted into glycogen
- When glucose levels fall, glycogen is changed back into glucose again.
- All cells need glucose in order to function
Fat Metabolism?
- Some fatty acids and glycerol are used to provide energy and heat.
- Some are combined to form triglycerides, the form in which fat is stored in fat depots i.e. under the skin, around in kidneys and in the omentum
Protein Metabolism?
- Removes the nitrogenous portion from excess amino acids to form urea.
- Combines the nitrogenous portion to other carbohydrate molecules to form new non essential amino acids.
- Breaks down nucleic acids to form uric acid.
- Urea and Uric Acid are excreted in urine.
- Forms 90% of the plasma proteins contained in the blood steam, including albumins, globulins and blood clotting factors
What is the special name for red blood cells?
Erythrocytes
Detoxification and Inactivation of what
Alcohol Waste products from other processes Some drugs Insulin Glucagon Cortisol Aldosterone Thyroid and sex hormones
Storage and Heat role of the liver?
Stores:
- Glycogen
- Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
- Iron and copper
- Some water-soluble vitamins – e.g. B12
The liver uses lots of energy, high metabolic rate and therefore produces a great amount of heat
Bile- how much and what does it consist of?
500 – 1000ml of bile is secreted by the liver each day. It consists of- Water Mineral salts Mucus Bile pigments, mainly bilirubin Bile salts Cholesterol
Bile in fat digestion?
In the small intestine, the bile acids are secreted as sodium or potassium salts. These emulsify fats by turning them into tiny droplets. More easily absorbed.
Makes fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) more easily absorbed.
What happens to bile after it is used?
In the terminal ilium, most bile salts are reabsorbed and return to the liver via the portal vein
What is bilirubin?
- Formed by breaking down of old blood cells
- Combined with glucuronic acid to become water-soluble, it is excreted in the bile.
- Microbes in the large intestine convert bilirubin to stercobilin, which colours and deodorizes the stool
- Jaundice is yellow pigmentation of the tissues seen in the skin and conjunctiva, caused by excess blood bilirubin
How does the bile ducts go?
The right and left hepatic duct -> common hepatic duct (portal fissue) -> joined by cystic duct (from gallbladder) - common bile duct -> main pancreatic duct at the hepatopancreatic ampulla -> Ampulla of Vater which is controlled by the hepatopancreatic sphincter (Oddi)
Into the duodenum.