What the Liver Does
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is located on the right
side of the abdomen (to the right of the stomach) behind the
lower ribs and below the lungs. The liver performs more than 400
functions each day to keep the body healthy. Some of its major
jobs include:
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converting food into nutrients the body can use (for
example, the liver produces bile to help break down fats)
storing fats, sugars, iron, and vitamins for later use by
the body
making the proteins needed for normal blood clotting
removing or chemically changing drugs, alcohol, and
other substances that may be harmful or toxic to the
body
Basic Functions of the Liver
The liver is the largest and one of the most complex organs in the body. It is located on the right side of
the abdomen. The liver performs four basic functions:
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It aids in digestion by helping in the absorption of fat and certain vitamins, including vitamins A,
D, E, and K
It helps distribute the nutrients found in food
It helps "clean" the blood by removing medications and toxins
It produces important proteins that affect the blood, such as factors that are essential in making
the blood clot after an injury.
The liver produces bile, which aids in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile also aids in the
absorption of substances such as vitamins A, D, E, and K and medication that patients take as an
immunosuppressive agent following liver transplantation. The bile is stored in the gallbladder (which is
located just below the liver) and then released into the intestines as needed. Together, these organs
process the nutrients found in the foods we eat.
The liver also helps filter many chemical substances and waste products from the blood. Most
medicines are cleaned from the bloodstream by the liver. The liver also removes any alcohol that's
consumed
What is the Liver?
The liver is the largest glandular organ of the body. It weighs about 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is
reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver lies
on the right side of the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm. Blood is carried to the
liver via two large vessels called the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The heptic artery
carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta (a major vessel in the heart). The portal vein
carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine. These blood vessels
subdivide in the liver repeatedly, terminating in very small capillaries. Each capillary leads
to a lobule. Liver tissue is composed of thousands of lobules, and each lobule is made up of
hepatic cells, the basic metabolic cells of the liver.
What is its major function?
The liver has many functions. Some of the functions are: to produce substances that break
down fats, convert glucose to glycogen, produce urea (the main substance of urine), make
certain amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), filter harmful substances from the
blood (such as alcohol), storage of vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, D, K and B12) and
maintain a proper level or glucose in the blood. The liver is also responsible fore producing
cholesterol. It produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body.
Diseases of the Liver?
Several diseases states can affect the liver. Some of the diseases are Wilson's Disease,
hepatitis (an inflammation of the liver), liver cancer, and cirrhosis (a chronic inflammation
that progresses ultimately to organ failure). Alcohol alters the metabolism of the liver, which
can have overall detrimental effects if alcohol is taken over long periods of time.
Hemochromatosis can cause liver problems.
Medications that negatively effect the liver?
Medications have side effects that may harm your liver. Some of the medications that can
damage your liver are: serzone, anti-cancer drugs (tagfur, MTX, and cytoxan), and
medications used to treat diabetes.
Serzone is a prescription drug manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb for the treatment of
depression.
The possible side effects of Serzone® are: agitation, dizziness, clumsiness or unsteadiness,
difficulty concentrating, memory problems, confusion, severe nausea, gastroenteritis,
abdominal pain, unusually dark urine, difficult or frequent urination, fainting, skin rash or
hives yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) or a prolonged loss of weight or
loss of appetite.
If you or a family member have suffered serious side effects or a fatal injury after taking
Serzone®, you or the family member may be eligible to file a claim against the
manufacturer. You should contact an attorney that specializes in class action lawsuits
immediately.
To help prevent liver damage, let your doctor know about your liver condition when being
treated for other conditions. Medications come in many forms and it is best to find out what
is in them and what it can do to your liver.
Body Location of the Liver?
To look at the liver in relation to other organs in the body, visit the digestive system