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