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The Liver

The liver represents the largest gland of the body, lying beneath the diaphragm in the right upper abdomen; it is of irregular shape and weighs from 1-2 kg, or about 1/40 the weight of the body. It receives a dual blood supply; approximately 20% of the blood flow is oxygen-rich blood from the hepatic artery, and 80% is nutrient-rich blood from the portal vein arising from the stomach, intestines, and spleen. The liver remains the only organ in the body that can regenerate after a portion has been removed. This regenerative capacity allows major resections to be performed--up to 75% of the liver. These types of resections can be performed provided the future liver remnant is not functionally compromised from other complex diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, non-alcoholic or alcoholic liver disease. The distribution of the liver mass is maintained by a complex control mechanism in which bile flow, portal vein, and hepatic vein flows are the main regulators.

The Liver
Location Of The Liver
Liver Location