What Is the Location & Function of the Liver?
The liver is a vital organ, responsible for three main functions in the human body: detoxification, protein synthesis and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. A functioning liver is essential for survival.
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Location
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The human liver is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. It lies to the right of the stomach and over the gallbladder.
Detoxification
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The liver produces a fluid called bile, which helps carry away waste products from the liver. It also converts poisonous ammonia, a waste product of metabolism, to urea. Urea is harmless and is excreted in urine.
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Protein Synthesis
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The liver breaks down ammonia derived from amino acids, found in such foods as milk, fish and chicken, and converts it into a protein, so that it can be distributed through the bloodstream.
Production of Biochemicals
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The liver aids in digestion by producing cholesterol, which helps carry fats through the through the bloodstream and breaks them down into a form that is easier for the body to use.
Regeneration
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The functions of the liver are so essential to life that the liver is the only organ capable of regeneration. This means that, once damaged, with as little as 25 percent remaining, the liver can fully regrow within eight years.
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References
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