1. The liver is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity, just below the diaphragm.
2. The liver has a dual blood supply: the hepatic artery (oxygen-rich blood) and the hepatic portal vein (nutrient-rich blood from the digestive tract).
3. Bile is produced by hepatocytes in the liver and stored/concentrated in the gallbladder before being released into the duodenum to aid in fat digestion.
4. The liver detoxifies harmful substances, metabolizes drugs, and breaks down ammonia into urea for excretion.
5. The liver synthesizes plasma proteins such as albumin and clotting factors, and stores glycogen and vitamins.
6. The liver processes nutrients absorbed from the intestines via the hepatic portal vein, regulating blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism.
7. The liver’s lobes are divided into functional units called lobules, which are hexagonal in shape and contain hepatocytes arranged around central veins.
8. Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages located in the liver sinusoids that phagocytose old red blood cells, pathogens, and debris.
9. The liver plays a key role in cholesterol metabolism by synthesizing cholesterol and converting it into bile acids for excretion.
10. The liver contributes to immune function by filtering blood, removing bacteria and toxins, and producing acute-phase proteins during inflammation.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of leaf anatomy worksheet key.
