Clinical Chemistry 1 - Liver Function

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to liver function and disorders, essential for understanding the liver's role in health and disease.

Liver Function Test

A test to evaluate the health of the liver and its ability to perform various functions.

Detoxification

The process by which the liver metabolizes and eliminates toxins and drugs from the body.

Hepatocyte

The main type of cell in the liver responsible for metabolic functions, including protein and glucose synthesis.

Bilirubin

A yellow pigment that is a breakdown product of heme from red blood cells, processed by the liver.

Unconjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that is not yet processed by the liver, insoluble in water, and transported in the blood bound to albumin.

Conjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that has been processed by the liver, water-soluble, and can be excreted in urine.

Cirrhosis

A late-stage liver disease marked by scarring (fibrosis) and reduced liver function.

Kernicterus

A type of brain damage resulting from high levels of bilirubin in infants, often due to jaundice.

Cytochrome P450

An enzyme system in the liver responsible for the biotransformation of drugs, leading to detoxification.

Portal Vein

A blood vessel that carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

Bile Canaliculi

Small ducts between hepatocytes in the liver that collect bile.

Hepatic Sinusoid

Specialized capillaries in the liver that allow for the exchange of substances between blood and liver cells.

Kupffer Cells

A type of macrophage located in the liver that helps in the immune response.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

A progressive liver disease resulting from long-term excessive alcohol consumption.

Gilbert's Syndrome

A common inherited condition that leads to elevated unconjugated bilirubin due to reduced hepatic uptake.

Dubin Johnson Syndrome

An inherited disorder affecting bilirubin excretion due to a defect in liver transport proteins.

Reye Syndrome

A rare but serious condition that causes fatty liver and encephalopathy in children, associated with taking aspirin during viral infections.

Neonatal Jaundice

A condition in newborns characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin.

Liver Function Test

A test to evaluate the health of the liver and its ability to perform various functions.

Detoxification

The process by which the liver metabolizes and eliminates toxins and drugs from the body.

Hepatocyte

The main type of cell in the liver responsible for metabolic functions, including protein and glucose synthesis.

Bilirubin

A yellow pigment that is a breakdown product of heme from red blood cells, processed by the liver.

Unconjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that is not yet processed by the liver, insoluble in water, and transported in the blood bound to albumin.

Conjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that has been processed by the liver, water-soluble, and can be excreted in urine.

Cirrhosis

A late-stage liver disease marked by scarring (fibrosis) and reduced liver function.

Kernicterus

A type of brain damage resulting from high levels of bilirubin in infants, often due to jaundice.

Cytochrome P450

An enzyme system in the liver responsible for the biotransformation of drugs, leading to detoxification.

Portal Vein

A blood vessel that carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

Bile Canaliculi

Small ducts between hepatocytes in the liver that collect bile.

Hepatic Sinusoid

Specialized capillaries in the liver that allow for the exchange of substances between blood and liver cells.

Kupffer Cells

A type of macrophage located in the liver that helps in the immune response.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

A progressive liver disease resulting from long-term excessive alcohol consumption.

Gilbert's Syndrome

A common inherited condition that leads to elevated unconjugated bilirubin due to reduced hepatic uptake.

Dubin Johnson Syndrome

An inherited disorder affecting bilirubin excretion due to a defect in liver transport proteins.

Reye Syndrome

A rare but serious condition that causes fatty liver and encephalopathy in children, associated with taking aspirin during viral infections.

Neonatal Jaundice

A condition in newborns characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin.

Albumin

A primary protein synthesized by the liver, essential for maintaining oncotic pressure in the bloodstream.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

An enzyme predominantly found in the liver; elevated levels typically indicate liver cell damage and are a common marker in LFTs.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

An enzyme found in the liver, bone, and placenta; elevated levels often suggest cholestasis (bile duct obstruction) or bone disease.

Liver Function Test

A test to evaluate the health of the liver and its ability to perform various functions.

Detoxification

The process by which the liver metabolizes and eliminates toxins and drugs from the body.

Hepatocyte

The main type of cell in the liver responsible for metabolic functions, including protein and glucose synthesis.

Bilirubin

A yellow pigment that is a breakdown product of heme from red blood cells, processed by the liver.

Unconjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that is not yet processed by the liver, insoluble in water, and transported in the blood bound to albumin.

Conjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that has been processed by the liver, water-soluble, and can be excreted in urine.

Cirrhosis

A late-stage liver disease marked by scarring (fibrosis) and reduced liver function.

Kernicterus

A type of brain damage resulting from high levels of bilirubin in infants, often due to jaundice.

Cytochrome P450

An enzyme system in the liver responsible for the biotransformation of drugs, leading to detoxification.

Portal Vein

A blood vessel that carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

Bile Canaliculi

Small ducts between hepatocytes in the liver that collect bile.

Hepatic Sinusoid

Specialized capillaries in the liver that allow for the exchange of substances between blood and liver cells.

Kupffer Cells

A type of macrophage located in the liver that helps in the immune response.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

A progressive liver disease resulting from long-term excessive alcohol consumption.

Gilbert's Syndrome

A common inherited condition that leads to elevated unconjugated bilirubin due to reduced hepatic uptake.

Dubin Johnson Syndrome

An inherited disorder affecting bilirubin excretion due to a defect in liver transport proteins.

Reye Syndrome

A rare but serious condition that causes fatty liver and encephalopathy in children, associated with taking aspirin during viral infections.

Neonatal Jaundice

A condition in newborns characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin.

Albumin

A primary protein synthesized by the liver, essential for maintaining oncotic pressure in the bloodstream.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

An enzyme predominantly found in the liver; elevated levels typically indicate liver cell damage and are a common marker in LFTs.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

An enzyme found in the liver, bone, and placenta; elevated levels often suggest cholestasis (bile duct obstruction) or bone disease.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

An enzyme found in the liver, heart, muscle, and kidney; elevated levels often indicate liver or muscle damage.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)

An enzyme found in the liver, bile ducts, and kidneys; elevated levels can indicate liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or alcohol abuse.

Prothrombin Time (PT/INR)

A blood test that measures how long it takes for plasma to clot, reflecting the liver's ability to synthesize clotting factors.

Glycogenesis

The process by which the liver converts glucose into glycogen for storage, crucial for maintaining blood glucose levels.

Gluconeogenesis

The process by which the liver synthesizes glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (e.g., amino acids, lactate) to maintain blood glucose during fasting.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

A decline in brain function that occurs as a result of severe liver disease, where the liver can't remove toxins from the blood.

Liver Function Test

A test to evaluate the health of the liver and its ability to perform various functions.

Detoxification

The process by which the liver metabolizes and eliminates toxins and drugs from the body.

Hepatocyte

The main type of cell in the liver responsible for metabolic functions, including protein and glucose synthesis.

Bilirubin

A yellow pigment that is a breakdown product of heme from red blood cells, processed by the liver.

Unconjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that is not yet processed by the liver, insoluble in water, and transported in the blood bound to albumin.

Conjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that has been processed by the liver, water-soluble, and can be excreted in urine.

Cirrhosis

A late-stage liver disease marked by scarring (fibrosis) and reduced liver function.

Kernicterus

A type of brain damage resulting from high levels of bilirubin in infants, often due to jaundice.

Cytochrome P450

An enzyme system in the liver responsible for the biotransformation of drugs, leading to detoxification.

Portal Vein

A blood vessel that carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

Bile Canaliculi

Small ducts between hepatocytes in the liver that collect bile.

Hepatic Sinusoid

Specialized capillaries in the liver that allow for the exchange of substances between blood and liver cells.

Kupffer Cells

A type of macrophage located in the liver that helps in the immune response.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

A progressive liver disease resulting from long-term excessive alcohol consumption.

Gilbert's Syndrome

A common inherited condition that leads to elevated unconjugated bilirubin due to reduced hepatic uptake.

Dubin Johnson Syndrome

An inherited disorder affecting bilirubin excretion due to a defect in liver transport proteins.

Reye Syndrome

A rare but serious condition that causes fatty liver and encephalopathy in children, associated with taking aspirin during viral infections.

Neonatal Jaundice

A condition in newborns characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin.

Albumin

A primary protein synthesized by the liver, essential for maintaining oncotic pressure in the bloodstream.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

An enzyme predominantly found in the liver; elevated levels typically indicate liver cell damage and are a common marker in LFTs.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

An enzyme found in the liver, bone, and placenta; elevated levels often suggest cholestasis (bile duct obstruction) or bone disease.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

An enzyme found in the liver, heart, muscle, and kidney; elevated levels often indicate liver or muscle damage.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)

An enzyme found in the liver, bile ducts, and kidneys; elevated levels can indicate liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or alcohol abuse.

Prothrombin Time (PT/INR)

A blood test that measures how long it takes for plasma to clot, reflecting the liver's ability to synthesize clotting factors.

Glycogenesis

The process by which the liver converts glucose into glycogen for storage, crucial for maintaining blood glucose levels.

Gluconeogenesis

The process by which the liver synthesizes glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (e.g., amino acids, lactate) to maintain blood glucose during fasting.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

A decline in brain function that occurs as a result of severe liver disease, where the liver can't remove toxins from the blood.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels.

Bile

A fluid produced by the liver that aids in the digestion of fats and the elimination of waste products.

Clotting Factors

Proteins, primarily synthesized by the liver, essential for blood coagulation.

Ammonia

A toxic substance produced from protein breakdown, normally converted to urea by the liver for excretion; high levels contribute to hepatic encephalopathy.

Heme

An iron-containing compound that is a precursor to bilirubin, found in hemoglobin and myoglobin.

Liver Function Test

A test to evaluate the health of the liver and its ability to perform various functions.

Detoxification

The process by which the liver metabolizes and eliminates toxins and drugs from the body.