What happens to the blood as it passes through liver?

The liver plays several vital roles in the processing and purification of blood. Here are some of the key functions that occur to the blood as it passes through the liver:

1. Filtration: The liver receives blood from the digestive organs through the hepatic portal vein. As the blood enters the liver, it undergoes filtration through specialized liver cells called hepatocytes. The hepatocytes act like tiny filters, removing bacteria, toxins, harmful substances, and waste products from the blood.

2. Metabolism: The liver is involved in the metabolism and breakdown of various substances. It plays a crucial role in metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The liver helps regulate blood glucose levels by converting excess glucose into glycogen for storage or breaking down glycogen to release glucose when needed.

3. Detoxification: One of the essential functions of the liver is detoxification. It acts as a processing centre to neutralize or remove harmful substances, including drugs, alcohol, toxins, and other potentially toxic compounds. These substances are broken down, modified, or excreted from the body.

4. Storage: The liver serves as a storage site for various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. For example, it stores glycogen, which can be converted back into glucose when needed, and stores vitamins A, B12, and D.

5. Production of bile: The liver produces bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that helps in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine when needed.

6. Regulation of blood clotting: The liver is involved in the production of various proteins essential for blood clotting. These proteins include clotting factors like fibrinogen and prothrombin, which are crucial for the formation of blood clots to prevent excessive bleeding.

By performing these functions, the liver plays a critical role in maintaining overall body homeostasis, metabolism, detoxification, and blood purification. It ensures the proper functioning of various systems and helps eliminate harmful substances from the body.