DISORDERS OF LIVER:
In the foregoing sections and sub-sections we have discussed about the common disorders of upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Now we shall discuss about the main disorder of liver. Before going through this section you must review the anatomy and physiology of liver for better understanding.
Anatomy and Physiology of Liver:
Liver is one of the vital organs of the body. In infants its weight is about one-eithteenth of the birth weight (120-160 gms.). It usually remains palpable upto 1.5 cm below the right costal margin on the midline clavicular line through out infancy and childhood.The liver consists of lobules and cells of each are arranged in lobule radiatory columns around a central vein which drains through the hepatic vein into the inferior vena cava.
Vital functions of the liver are:
1) Metabolic functions
2) Haemopoietic function
3) Exceretory function
4) Detoxicating function