Human Anatomy Image Source© 2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. Front View of the LiverThe liver is a large, meaty organ that sits on the right side of the belly. Weighing about 3 pounds, the liver is reddish-brown in color and feels rubbery to the touch. Normally you can't feel the liver, because it's protected by the rib cage. The liver has two large sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gallbladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food. The liver's main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions. Liver ConditionsTypes of liver disease include:
Blood Tests: Imaging Tests: What is the role of the liver in digestion?Your liver continually produces bile. This is a chemical that helps turn fats into energy that your body uses. Bile is necessary for the digestive process.
What are the 5 functions of the liver?The primary functions of the liver are:. Bile production and excretion.. Excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, and drugs.. Metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.. Enzyme activation.. Storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals.. Synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin, and clotting factors.. |