Liver [Understanding Your Body] скачать в хорошем качестве

Liver [Understanding Your Body]

The largest organ in our body is the liver. The liver, weighing about 1.2kg, performs a lot of work as big as it is. Removing toxins through detoxification as the 'chemical factory of the body' and producing essential nutrients needed by various tissues, the liver is estimated to perform as many as 500 different functions. Today, let’s learn more about the liver. The liver, encased by the ribs and located on the right side of the abdomen, is largely divided into left and right lobes by the falciform ligament. The liver’s high vascularization gives it a deep reddish-brown color. There are two main blood vessels which supply blood to the liver, the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic artery. Through the hepatic portal vein, nutrient-rich blood enters the liver, while through hepatic artery, the oxygenated blood is supplied. Of the many functions of the liver, detoxification is the most important. The liver converts toxins and waste into harmless components, then excretes them from the body. As an example, ammonia formed from protein breakdown is converted into urea in the liver and then excreted as urine. If the liver is somehow damaged and is unable to perform this function, ammonia accumulation may lead to hepatic encephalopathy. The liver not only deals with toxins but also processes harmful bacteria in the body. In the liver, there are special cells called ‘Kupffer cells’ that consume bacteria and perform an immune function by destroying bacteria that enter from the intestines. As you can see, the liver functions as a cleanser of the body through detoxification and decomposition. Additionally, the liver serves as a producer of various substances the body needs. First, the liver produces 1 liter of bile a day to aid in fat digestion. Additionally, the liver synthesizes proteins, producing blood clotting factors and albumin. In conditions such as liver cirrhosis, this function is impaired, leading to symptoms like frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising, and ascites. These symptoms occur due to a deficiency of proteins. The liver also breaks down hormones after they have completed their function or recycles red blood cells. If red blood cells are not properly recycled, jaundice may appear on the eyes or skin. Furthermore, the liver is an excellent storage warehouse. The liver converts glucose absorbed from the digestive system into glycogen, storing it, and later breaks it down back into glucose when needed for use. When nutrients are consumed excessively, the liver converts them into fat for storage. Excessive fat storage leads to the destruction of liver cells, resulting in a condition called fatty liver. As seen so far, the liver performs such a wide range of functions that any issues with its function can be life-threatening. Especially when alcohol is consumed heavily over many years, toxic substances produced during the alcohol breakdown process can chronically damage liver cells, leading to alcoholic liver disease. If left untreated, liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and viral hepatitis may lead to cellular mutations, potentially progressing to liver cancer. When diagnosed with liver cancer, part of the liver may need to be removed. Fortunately, the liver is the only organ in our body that can regenerate, so even when partially removed, it can restore to its original state. That is why despite being a single organ, living donor liver transplantation is possible. However, as resilient as it is, the liver does not send any signals even when 80% of it is damaged. The liver, known as the ‘silent organ,’ requires regular check-ups for optimal health, experts advise. Liver diseases are particularly more prevalent in men. Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in South Korea, particularly those in their 40s and 50s. Starting today, consider adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as avoiding excessive alcohol consumption for the sake of liver health.