8.3 Liver and Gall Bladder

Vocabulary flashcards based on the structure and functions of the liver and gallbladder.

V liver

The largest organ in the body, involved in numerous metabolic activities.

Portal Vein

Carries deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver, comprising 70% of its blood supply.

Hepatic Artery

Carries oxygenated blood to the liver, accounting for 30% of its blood supply.

Lobules

Small functional units of the liver containing hepatocytes arranged around a central vein.

Bile

A fluid produced by the liver that aids in the digestion and emulsification of fats.

Gallbladder

An organ that stores and concentrates bile before releasing it into the small intestine.

Cystic Duct

The duct through which bile flows from the gallbladder.

Falciform Ligament

A ligament that separates the liver into right and left lobes and attaches it to the anterior abdominal wall.

Emulsification

The process of breaking down fat into small droplets to enhance digestion.

Liver Function

Includes carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism, vitamin storage, detoxification, and bile production.

Acini

Ellipsoid areas of hepatocytes located around the blood supply within liver lobules.

Porta Hepatis

The hilum of the liver where blood vessels, nerves, and ducts enter and exit.

Cirrhosis

A disease where the liver becomes severely scarred, affecting its ability to function.

Common Bile Duct

The duct that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum.

Lymphatic Drainage

The organ's lymphatic vessels drain lymph primarily into the cystic lymph node of Lund.

Cholecystectomy

The surgical removal of the gallbladder, often performed to prevent cholecystitis.