1
Separate blood inputs →
Distinguish portal venous and arterial approaches.
SELECTED ORGAN / STRUCTURE TO FUNCTION
Liver
A large organ mostly beneath the right diaphragm links nutrient processing, blood-protein production, bile secretion and metabolic regulation.
The organ’s position beneath the diaphragm is shown in a normal teaching context; the source model remains a separate gross preparation.
Read the connected anatomy →30-SECOND ORIENTATION / AN ILLUSTRATION AT ANOTHER SCALE
Connect the selected shape to normal anatomy.
The image and editable labels explain anatomical relationships. They do not reveal new structures in the model you selected.
Structure notes · further context
- Right lobe
- This anterior location is below the right diaphragm. The liver is not divided into equal halves; functional vascular territories use different boundaries.
- Left lobe
- The term describes external anatomy, not a complete map of surgical segments. This view does not expose the posterior caudate or inferior quadrate lobes.
- Falciform ligament
- It attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm. The depicted pale strip is an orientation aid, not the boundary between the functional right and left liver.
- Diaphragm
- Most of the liver is sheltered by the lower ribs. The transparent ribs and removed abdominal wall are teaching conventions, not the normal exposed appearance.
- Gallbladder
- It stores and concentrates bile made by the liver; it does not make bile itself. Its connecting duct is better shown in the separate bile-duct view.
- Stomach
- The stomach and liver belong to the same digestive network but do different work. Gastric venous blood joins the portal circulation; stomach contents do not flow directly into the liver.
3-MINUTE UNDERSTANDING / ONE CANONICAL LEARNING PATH
Continue from what you can see to how it works.
Each route opens the corresponding existing lesson. The same deeper chapter remains the source of its full medical explanation.
2
Enter a lobule →
Compare blood exchange and the separate bile route.
3
Connect metabolism →
Follow changing signals between fed and fasting conditions.
DEEPER LEARNING / ORIGINAL MODEL-LINKED EXPLANATIONS
Read the structure and function together.
Two blood inputs, a separate bile output
Portal venous blood and hepatic arterial blood enter sinusoids, where exchange with liver cells takes place. Blood drains toward central veins and ultimately the hepatic veins. Bile travels from hepatocytes into canaliculi and toward ducts; it is a separate route, not blood flowing backward.
Hepatocytes
Process nutrients, make plasma proteins and secrete bile; different membrane faces keep blood exchange separate from bile output.
Sinusoidal endothelial cells
A thin, porous lining separates flowing blood from the exchange space beside hepatocytes.
Kupffer cells
Resident macrophages associated with sinusoids clear particles and participate in immune surveillance.
Stellate cells
Cells in the perisinusoidal space store vitamin A and help maintain the supporting matrix.
Cholangiocytes
Bile-duct epithelial cells modify bile with water and electrolytes as it passes through the duct system.
Balance carbohydrate fuel
Store glucose as glycogen; release glucose by glycogen breakdown and make new glucose when needed. A steadier fuel supply between meals.
Handle fats and cholesterol
Oxidize or synthesize lipids, assemble lipoproteins and use cholesterol to make bile acids. Transportable fuel and bile components.
Make blood proteins
Build albumin and many clotting and transport proteins for release into the circulation. Plasma proteins, not blood cells.
Dispose of excess nitrogen
Convert ammonia nitrogen into urea, which enters blood and is excreted mainly by the kidneys. A link between metabolism and urine.
Hold reserves
Store substances such as vitamin A, vitamin B12 and iron; the liver is not the only storage tissue. Reserves available beyond one meal.
Transform compounds
Chemical reactions alter compounds for further use or elimination; conversion does not guarantee harmlessness. Modified molecules for blood or bile routes.
Regulation and the model scale
After a meal, insulin favours glycogen storage and restrains glucose production. Between meals, changing insulin and glucagon signals favour glucose supply. The surface model shows gross form. Body position is explained by the text and relevant whole-body reference; an isolated mesh alone cannot establish it. This model does not show lobules, microscopic flow, hormone concentrations or a clinical measurement.
Sources and scope
- OpenStax · Liver, pancreas and gallbladder
- Merck Manual · Liver structure and function
- University of Leeds · Hepatocytes and interfaces
- NCBI Bookshelf · Bile secretion
- NCBI Bookshelf · Urea cycle
- NCBI Bookshelf · Gluconeogenesis
- NCBI Bookshelf · Endocrine pancreas and regulation
- National Academies · Vitamin B12 storage
Original AllHumanBody teaching explanations and retained chapter illustrations. The selected source-labelled model, authentic medical photographs and AI-assisted teaching illustrations are different resource types. This plate is an illustration, not a scan, microscopy or certification of hidden structures in the selected model. Existing chapter source and image-provenance records are retained.
The original source-linked notes above are preserved. Detailed mechanisms and their supporting references remain in the linked canonical chapter. Medical source checks do not constitute human medical review or personal diagnostic advice; fine generated anatomy and physical-phone acceptance are not independently certified.