Liver Blood Flow

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Understanding:

•  The liver intercepts blood from the gut to regulate nutrient levels

    
The liver is a lobed organ located below the diaphragm that functions to regulate the chemical composition of blood

  • It receives oxygenated blood via the hepatic artery, which is used to sustain liver cells (hepatocytes)
  • It also receives nutrient rich blood from the gut via the portal vein
  • Deoxygenated blood is transported from the liver via the hepatic vein


The liver functions to process the nutrients absorbed from the gut and hence regulates the body’s metabolic processes

  • It is responsible for the storage and controlled release of key nutrients (e.g. glycogen, cholesterol, triglycerides)
  • It is responsible for the detoxification of potentially harmful ingested substances (e.g. amino acids, medications, alcohol)
  • It produces plasma proteins that function to maintain sustainable osmotic conditions within the bloodstream
  • It is responsible for the breakdown of red blood cells and the production of bile salts


Overview of Hepatic Circulation

liver blood flow