13._Liver_study_guide

Hepatobiliary System

The organ system that includes the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

Hepatic artery

The artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the liver.

Portal vein

The vein that carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver.

Hepatic vein

The vein that drains deoxygenated blood from the liver into the inferior vena cava.

Hepatic lobule

The functional unit of the liver composed of hepatocytes arranged in rows.

Hepatocytes

The functional cells of the liver responsible for metabolic processes.

Sinusoids

Specialized capillaries in the liver that receive blood from the hepatic artery and portal vein.

Kupffer cells

Specialized macrophages located in the liver that filter blood and remove pathogens.

Bile canaliculi

Ducts between hepatocytes that transport bile to larger bile ducts.

Hepatic duct

The duct that carries bile out of the liver.

Cystic duct

The duct that carries bile to and from the gallbladder.

Common bile duct

The duct formed by the joining of the hepatic duct and cystic duct.

Ampulla of Vater

The junction where the common bile duct joins the pancreatic duct.

Sphincter of Oddi

Muscle that regulates the flow of bile and pancreatic juices into the duodenum.

Bile salts

Compounds derived from cholesterol that are essential for the digestion and absorption of fats.

Bilirubin

A pigment released during the breakdown of red blood cells, which is processed by the liver.

Conjugated bilirubin

Water-soluble form of bilirubin that is excreted in bile.

CHO Metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism that regulates blood glucose levels and energy storage.

Gluconeogenesis

The process of producing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, primarily amino acids.

Urea

A waste product formed in the liver from ammonia, which is excreted in urine.

Triglycerides

A type of fat that is broken down in the liver into fatty acids and glycerol.

Phagocytosis

The process by which Kupffer cells engulf and digest pathogens and foreign particles.

Cirrhosis

Scarring of the liver tissue resulting from chronic liver diseases,

Viral hepatitis A

A liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus, transmitted via fecal-oral route.

Hepatitis B

A liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus, transmitted via blood and body fluids.

Hepatitis C

A liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus, primarily transmitted via blood.

Anti-HCV

Antibody that indicates current or past Hepatitis C infection.

Liver function tests

Tests that assess the proper function of the liver by measuring enzyme levels and other substances in the blood.

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)

An enzyme primarily found in the liver, elevated levels indicate liver damage.

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)

An enzyme found in the liver and other tissues; elevated levels may indicate liver injury.

Serum protein levels

Measurement of proteins in the blood, including albumin, which can indicate liver function.

Prothrombin time

A test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot; lengthened time may indicate liver dysfunction.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

An enzyme linked to biliary function; elevated levels suggest bile flow obstruction.

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which require bile for absorption.

Cytochrome P450 system

A family of enzymes in liver cells that detoxify various substances.

Hepatoviruses

Viruses that specifically target liver cells, causing liver inflammation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

A condition characterized by the accumulation of fat in liver cells not caused by alcohol.

Autoimmune hepatitis

An inflammation of the liver caused by the immune system attacking liver cells.

Cholesterol metabolism

Processes involved in synthesizing, recycling, and eliminating cholesterol in the body.

Hepatocyte regeneration

The process by which liver cells reproduce following damage.

Hepatitis D

A liver infection caused by the Hepatitis D virus, which only occurs in those infected with Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis E

A liver infection caused by the Hepatitis E virus, primarily transmitted through contaminated water.

Convalescent phase

The recovery phase following an illness, including hepatitis.

Incubation period

The time between exposure to a virus and the appearance of symptoms.