The liver (hepar)
To make clear the importance of the hepar, one must consider their diverse metabolic functions. In almost all these functions, the liver cells (hepatocytes) involved. You do the main work in the hepar and are equivalent in the diversity of its duties to any other cell type similar.
The main functions of the liver:
- The central metabolic organ
- Storage organ
- The most important detoxification organ
- Excretory organ
- Gland
- Governance Body
- Support of the resistance to infection and wound healing
The central metabolic organ
The liver regulates the protein, fat and sugar metabolism and the mineral, vitamin and hormone balance. She is involved in virtually all life processes in the body.
By the liver cells, the main nutrients are absorbed from the portal blood, converted, stored or transmitted via the blood to other organs. In addition, make the hepar cells produce many important substances in our body, such as protein, clotting factors, sugars, fatty acids and often derided, but vital cholesterol.
Storage organ
The hepar provides a metabolic depot for reserves in the organism. Through the storage of important nutrients such as sugar and vitamins , the healthy liver cells and the other organs of the body in case of emergency needs bring supplies .
Detoxification organ
The liver is the most important detoxification organ in our body. As a filter between the intestines and the rest of the body circulation, it prevents pathogens and pollutants, which are supplied with food, for example, passing from the intestine into the bloodstream. Toxic substances such as ammonia, are intercepted by the hepar and hepar cells detoxify efficiently, ie they are to innocuous substances such as converted, for example, urea.
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Liver detoxification
With the bile many metabolic waste products are released into the intestine, where they can be excreted in the stool. Through chemical modification numerous fat-soluble substances in the hepar to be made in water, so that they can with the urine leave the body.
Gland
The liver produces almost a liter of bile daily. Through the information contained in the bile acids, the fat digestion is supported.
Governance Body
The hepar ensures a normal blood composition. This is necessary so that the brain function can proceed undisturbed. A disease of the liver could result from changes in the blood composition to reduced brain function to mental and intellectual deficits and behavioral disturbances (Hepatic encephalopathy).