Liver

The liver is a large organ located in the right upper part of the abdomen just below the diaphragm. It is considered as the largest and heaviest organ in the body, which weighs about 1.4 in an average adult. This large organ is divided into several lobes. However, when viewed in front, you will see only two major lobes, the left lobe—the largest lobe of the liver—and the right lobe. The other two lobes are the quadrate lobe and caudate lobe, which are best seen under the liver.

The liver receives blood from two major sources: the hepatic artery, which carries blood containing oxygen and the hepatic portal vein, which carries blood that contain newly absorbed nutrients from the digestive tract.

Another part of the liver, the gallbladder functions to store the bile formed by the hepatocytes—the liver cells. Bile is needed for the absorption of fats.

Liver Functions

In addition to producing and secreting bile, other vital or important liver functions include:

 Removing harmful chemicals and other substances that might be present in the blood

 Fighting infections

 Helping in the digestion of food by producing bile

 Storing nutrients and vitamins, such as vitamin A, D, E, K, and B12

 Storing energy, which is called glycogen. As energy—provided by blood sugar or blood glucose—becomes low, the liver can break down the stored glycogen to produce blood glucose. When blood sugar is high, which normally occurs after a meal, the liver can convert the excess glucose for storage.

Abnormalities can occur in the liver. Some of the disease or disorders of the liver include Alagille syndrome, cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, hepatitis, porphyria, primary schlerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and Wilson disease.

Having a healthy liver can make digestive processes work better. In addition, one's healthy liver can get rid of germs that are present in the blood.

References:

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIH Publication No. 09–6408, February 2009

Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.

Seeley, R., Stephens, T., and Tate, P.: Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology.5th ed.Mc-Graw-Hills, Inc., 2005

Image Credit: NIDDK Image Library

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Difference Between the Small and Large Intestines

What is the difference between the small intestine and large intestine? What do they do?

Answer:

Although they have different names, the small and large intestines is continuous tube. They differ in both structure and function.

The small intestine and large intestines are parts of the digestive tract or also called alimentary canal. The digestive tract is a long, continuous tube, which starts from the mouth and ends in the anus. It consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and the anus.

Small Intestine

The small intestine, or small bowel, is a long tube where food coming from the stomach pass through. This is where most of the food particles are broken down or digested and nutrients are absorbed to be used by the body. It is divided into several portions namely: the duodenum (firs part), jejunum, and ileum (last portion).

After taking the nutrients from the food, the food particles then move to the large intestine.

Large Intestine

The large intestine is the tube where feces or stool is found. It contains the undigested food and some fluids. The large intestine has four main regions. They are the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal. Major functions of the large intestine include:

 Production of some B vitamins and vitamin K, which is produced by good bacteria normally living in the large intestine.

 Absorption of some water, vitamins, and salts or ions.

 Bowel movement: What remains after “absorption” is stool, which passes from the colon into the rectum and out of the anus.

Stool in the large intestine is prevented from going back into the small intestine through a valve called the ileocecal valve.

References:

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIH Publication No. 05–5120, February 2005

Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.

Image Credit: NIDDK Image Library

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Pancreas

The pancreas is a large fish-like gland located behind the stomach and close to the duodenum-the first part of the small intestine.

Functions of the pancreas include:

1. Produce and secrete digestive juices or enzymes, which aid in the digestion of food.

2. Produce and release the hormones insulin ad glucagon into the blood. These hormones help in regulating blood sugar.

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Related topics:
Acute Pancreatitis
Chronic Pancreatitis
ECRP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

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