The liver is the largest digestive gland in human body. It is also the central station of metabolism in the body. It is estimated that there are more than 500 chemical reactions in the liver. Experiments show that animals can only survive for more than 50 hours at most after complete liver resection, even if they are given corresponding treatment. This shows that the liver is an essential organ to maintain life activities. The blood flow of the liver is extremely rich, accounting for about 1/4 of the cardiac output. The blood flow into the liver per minute is 1000- 1200ml. The main function of the liver is to decompose sugar and store glycogen; Participate in the metabolism of protein, fat, vitamins and hormones; Detoxification; Secrete bile; Phagocytosis and defense function; Manufacturing coagulation factors; Regulating blood volume and water-electrolyte balance; Generate heat, etc.
Detoxification function: During metabolism, the portal vein collects blood flowing from the abdominal cavity, and harmful substances and antibacterial substances in the blood will be detoxified and removed in the liver. There are four main ways to detoxify the liver: (1) chemical methods, such as oxidation, reduction, decomposition, combination and deoxygenation. (2) Secretion: Some heavy metals in the intestine, such as mercury and bacteria, can be excreted with bile secretion. (3) accumulation; (4) phagocytosis. The liver is the main detoxification organ of the human body, which can protect the body from damage, make the poison become non-toxic or soluble, and excrete it with bile or urine.
Defense function: The liver is the largest reticuloendothelial phagocytosis system. The endodermis of hepatic venous sinus contains a large number of Kupffer cells, which have strong phagocytosis. 99% bacteria in portal vein blood are swallowed when passing through hepatic venous sinus. Therefore, the importance of this filtering effect of the liver is extremely obvious.