Liver and Pancreas

The **liver** is the largest gland in the body, weighing approximately three pounds in an adult, and is among the most vital organs. In addition to serving as an accessory digestive organ, it plays essential roles in metabolism and regulatory processes. Located inferior to the diaphragm in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity, the liver is protected by the surrounding ribcage. The porta hepatis ("gate to the liver") is the entry point for the hepatic artery and hepatic portal vein. The hepatic artery supplies oxygenated blood from the heart, and the hepatic portal vein delivers partially deoxygenated blood rich in nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. Interestingly, the hepatic portal vein provides more oxygen to the liver than the smaller hepatic arteries. In addition to nutrients, the liver also processes absorbed drugs and toxins. After metabolizing these substances, the liver releases nutrients required by other cells back into the bloodstream, draining into the central vein, eventually exiting through the hepatic vein into the inferior vena cava. This hepatic portal circulation ensures that all blood from the alimentary canal passes through the liver. This largely explains the liver's susceptibility as a common site for metastasis from cancers originating in the alimentary canal. *LICENSES AND ATTRIBUTIONS CC licensed content, Shared previously, Accessory Organs in Digestion: The Liver, Pancreas, and Gallbladder, Authored by: OpenStax College. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/esgfrPlv@3/Accessory-Organs-in-Digestion-* ## Keywords liver pancreas small intestine gallbladder bile duct