O liver is an attachment of the digestive system and is considered one of the largest organs in the human body. This organ is located in the upper region of the abdominal cavity, below the diaphragm and on the right side, has a reddish-brown color and weighs, on average, 1.5 kg. In addition, it has a smooth surface and four lobes: straight, left, caudate and square. Each lobe is made up of several cells known as hepatocytes.
O liver is related to important functions of our body, such as regulation of the metabolism of various nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids), synthesis of proteins and other molecules, degradation of hormones, storage of substances such as glycogen, and excretion of toxic substances. Furthermore, it is related to the production of red blood cells in the embryo, destroys these cells when they are old, in addition to synthesizing some coagulation factors.
Despite the diverse functions of the liver, one of the main and best known is the formation and secretion of bile.
— a substance made up primarily of bile acids, phospholipids, cholesterol, inorganic salts and bilirubin. This, in turn, is responsible for giving color to the bile and is the result of the destruction of Red Cells.Every day, the liver produces about 500 to 1000 ml of bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. The production of this substance occurs constantly, however, soon after meals, the secretion is increased.
Bile basically has two primary functions: excretion of some substances and the emulsion of fats, which helps in the digestion and absorption of lipids. In bile, toxins, substances present in drugs and bilirubin are mainly eliminated. This process is known as liver detoxification.
When the liver is suffering from some disease, some symptoms may arise. A person suffering from liver problems usually presents jaundice, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, among others. One of the best known and most specific clinical conditions of liver disease is jaundice, which is characterized by causing yellowish coloration in the skin, in the sclera of the eyes (white of the eye) and in the mucous membranes due to a high concentration of bilirubin in the blood.
Cirrhosis causes liver fibrosis and the appearance of nodules
One of the big problems that affect the liver is the cirrhosis, a degeneration and inflammation of the organ resulting from various problems. The most common cause of cirrhosis is alcoholism, but viral hepatitis and biliary diseases can trigger the problem. It usually causes progressive fibrosis and the appearance of parenchymal nodules.
Because it has vital functions, the liver is an extremely important organ for our survival. Therefore, when any symptoms appear, especially the yellowish color of the skin and eyes, seek medical attention immediately. Liver problems can be serious and even lead to the patient's death.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
