Liver Physiology

Liver functions primarily include bile production, metabolic regulation, and hematological functions.

During carbohydrate metabolism, the liver regulates blood glucose levels. Low blood glucose triggers gluconeogenesis, while high blood glucose stimulates insulin release by the pancreas, which promotes glucose conversion and storage as glycogen or lipids.

Protein metabolism involves hepatocytes removing the amino group from amino acids by deamination. The ammonia produced in this process is converted into less toxic urea for excretion.

In lipid metabolism, hepatocytes store triglycerides, synthesize lipoproteins for transporting lipids and produce cholesterol.

Some of this cholesterol is used to synthesize bile, which emulsifies dietary fats, aiding digestion and absorption.

Additionally, hepatocytes oxidize fatty acids to produce ATP, extracting energy from stored lipids.

 The liver also detoxifies blood by eliminating drugs such as penicillin and water-soluble toxins, which are excreted in bile.

The liver also helps regulate blood composition by phagocytosing aged red blood cells and excreting bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown, in bile.