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Liver

Anatori Sealife Comments 0 11th April 2019
Liver functions / Bile salts, bile acids, lipids, and the pigments biliverdin and bilirubin

The liver is the largest organ in the body. Besides, it is located directly below the diaphragm. It is also a multilobular organ. Furthermore, it has several vital functions, not only one.

Liver functions

However, several of these functions merit mentioning. They are:

  1. Heparin production, which helps prevent blood from clotting in the vessels;
  2. Removal of dead and malfunctioning red blood cells from the circulatory system;
  3. Removal of toxins from the blood;
  4. Storage of absorbed nutrients;
  5. Storage of trace metals (copper and iron) and vitamins (A, D, E, and K), which are necessary for daily metabolic activity and
  6. Production of bile, which aids in the digestion of fats.

Compose

Firstly, hepatic cells produce bile, a yellow to green in colour substance, from cholesterol. Secondly, it constitutes bile salts, bile acids, lipids, and the pigments biliverdin and bilirubin. These pigments are products of red blood cell degradation and must leave the circulatory system. If a filter cannot remove them, the body will develop a pale yellowish tinge to its skin, a condition known as jaundice. Besides its excretory properties, bile is responsible for the emulsification of fats. It also neutralises chyme partially. Our digestive system can only absorb fatty acids and glycerol in the presence of bile salts. The gall bladder is attached to the underside of the liver, accumulating excess bile.