Role & Function of the Liver.
Picture Above: Labelled Diagram of the Canine Liver Anatomy.
To continue, the liver plays a large role in hormonal control of the following hormones; Insulin, glucagon, glucocorticoids, catecholamines and synthesis of some other important hormones which are part of the endocrine system. The liver has a part in immunoregulation via the kupfer cells and the complement synthesis and metabolism.
Lastly, the liver is very important in the storage of water and fat soluble vitamins, iron, triglyceride and glycogen. The liver will break down haemoglobin and toxic substances through drug metabolism and it will convert ammonia to urea and will allow the management of endogenous waste for example haem (Hb, cytochromes, Mb) and ammonia (amino acids). |
The Liver is a vital organ in the body of mammals and vertebrates as it provides key functions that are essential to their life. It is known to be one of the largest internal organs and has functions which are the production of bile and protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. It is known to play a crucial role in digestion as it produces and excretes bile which is a yellowish liquid required for emulsifying fats and to aid in the absorption of vitamin K from the animals diet. Some of the bile will drain straight into the duodenum and some is stored in the gallbladder.
An interesting fact about the liver is that the size varies due to its link and aid with metabolism. A Carnivores liver weighs about 3-5% percent of the body weight, omnivores 2-3% and herbivores 1.5% and also the liver is a lot heavier in younger animals than older ones because it will waste away/atropies as a result of the degeneration in cells or become vestigial in evolution . In addition to this, One of the main functions of the liver is that when all the blood is circulated around the abdomen of the animal, it flows back through the portal vein of the liver where it will come in contact with the liver cells which ensure the products of digestion are presented to the hepatic cells before entering the general circulation. The liver also has numerous other functions which include carbohydrate metabolism, glycogenesis, and glyconeolysis, gluconeogenesis and the breakdown of insulin and other hormones. Furthermore, the liver is also involved in lipid metabolism, lipogenesis and synthesis of cholesterol. |
Picture Below: Numbered Diagram of a Sheep's Liver. 1) Left lobe 2) Right lobe 3) Caudate lobe 4) Quadrate lobe 5) Hepatic artery and Portal Vein 6) Hepatic Lymph Nodes 7) Gall Bladder.