L8 - Liver

Flashcards about the liver and its functions, created from lecture notes.

Hepatic

Relating to the liver.

Ferrous

Relating to iron (from Latin).

Glycogen

Storage form of glucose in the liver.

Plasma proteins

Manufactured by the liver. Examples are albumin, and most coagulation factors

Bilirubin

Waste product removed by the liver, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown.

Liver Location

Underneath the rib cage, asymmetrical with more on the right side of the body.

Hepatic Portal Vein

Transports blood from the intestines to the liver.

Hepatic Vein

Transports blood from the liver back towards the heart.

Hepatic Artery

Delivers about 25% of the liver's blood supply; rich in oxygen.

Liver Lobules

Hexagonal units that divide liver tissue.

Central Vein

The structure at the center of each liver lobule

Portal Triads

Structures in the corners between liver lobules, containing branches of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct.

Hepatocytes

Most important cell in the liver, constituting 80% of liver tissue; performs most liver functions.

Hepatic Duct

Carries bile made by the liver; bile moves in the opposite direction to blood in the lobule.

Glucagon

Causes the liver to release glucose in response to low glucose levels in the blood.

Insulin

Causes the liver to store glucose as glycogen to help maintain a constant level of blood glucose.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

The 'good cholesterol'; transports cholesterol away from peripheral deposits to the liver.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

The 'bad cholesterol'; transports cholesterol from storage in the liver to peripheral deposits.

Albumin

Protein made by the liver; responsible for maintaining blood osmolarity.

Oxidative Stress

Caused by free iron, toxic if the iron is not bound to other molecules

Transferrin

Molecule that moves iron safely around the body, can carry two atoms of iron at a time.

Ferritin

Storage molecule, that keeps iron in storage, particularly in the liver.

Transferrin receptor

Binds transferrin on the surface of a cell, pulling the iron inside.

Ferroportin

A channel protein that allows iron out of a cell. Found in gut cells, white blood cells, and liver.

Hepcidin

Hormone made by the liver that controls the level of iron in circulation; turns off the 'tap' (ferroportin channel).

Negative Feedback Loop

Iron levels increased, hepcidin levels should increase, to reduce further iron absorption from the gut.