Explain the Structure and Functions of Liver

The liver is enclosed in a thin capsule and is completely covered by a peritoneum. The liver is described as having four lobes. As you can see in Figure, only two lobes are visible - the left and the right lobe. The right lobe is the largest. The left lobe is smaller and wedge-shaped. The quadrate lobe is almost square in outline and the caudate lobe is tail-like in appearance. The latter two lobes can only be distinguished by viewing the liver from behind.

The lobes of the liver are made up of tiny lobules. These lobules are hexagonal in outline. They are formed by cubical shaped cells arranged in columns which radiate from a central vein. Between the columns of cells, there are sinusoids (blood vessels with incomplete walls) which contain a mixture of blood from the tiny branches of the portal vein and hepatic artery. Thus oxygenated blood and blood with a high concentration of nutritional materials come in direct contact with the cells of the liver. Blood drains into central vein. Central veins from all the lobules join up and unite to form hepatic veins which drain blood from the liver and empty into inferior vena cava. What are the functions of the liver? Certainly, you may be aware of the important functions the liver performs in the body. Read the functions enumerated next and refresh your knowledge about the functions of the liver.