Liver Facts & Worksheets

The liver is the second largest organ in the body. It is responsible for over 500 body functions, including metabolism, digestion, detoxification, storage of vitamins, minerals, and substances, and synthesis of essential enzymes and proteins.

See the fact file below for more information about the Liver, or you can download our 31-page Liver worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ANATOMY OF THE LIVER

• The liver is the largest internal organ of the body. It weighs about 1.36 kilograms or 3 pounds in an average person. The liver is reddish-brown in color and triangular in shape.
• It is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen and extends across the midline and partially into the upper left quadrant. The liver is found right below the diaphragm and above the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. 
• The liver has two main lobes – the larger right and the smaller left. These lobes then consist of eight segments, each made up of thousands of small lobes or lobules.
• The left and right lobes of the liver are separated by the falciform ligament, which connects the liver to the abdominal wall and keeps it anchored to the diaphragm. 
• Meanwhile, a layer of connective tissue called the Glisson’s capsule covers the liver and surrounding arteries and ducts.  
• The outermost covering of the liver is called the peritoneum.

BLOOD SUPPLY

• The liver has two blood supplies: the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic artery. These blood vessels supply the liver with nutrients and oxygen, respectively.
• Blood that flows through the hepatic portal vein and enters the liver comes from the gastrointestinal part of the body and the spleen. Thus, nutrients from food are delivered to the liver via the hepatic portal vein.
• Meanwhile, the hepatic artery comes from the heart and supplies the liver with oxygen-rich blood.
• The liver has special capillaries called the sinusoids that stem from the hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery. These sinusoids supply nutrient-rich and oxygen-rich blood to the lobules of the liver, which are made up of the functional units called hepatocytes. Hepatocytes are the cells that make up the liver.
• Sinusoids also connect to the hepatic vein, which drains deoxygenated and nutrient-poor blood from the liver.
• Aside from the collection of blood vessels that supply and drain blood to and from the liver, there is also a biliary tree in the liver.
• The biliary tree consists of ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and the duodenum of the small intestine.
• The main trunk of the biliary tree is known as the common bile duct.
• The common bile duct is made up of the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct.
• The liver is responsible for creating bile. Then, the bile is stored in the gallbladder. From the liver, the bile flows through the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct to reach the gallbladder.
• When bile is needed to digest food, especially fats, the gallbladder will release the bile to the common bile duct, which leads to the pancreas and then to the duodenum of the small intestine.

LIVER, ITS FUNCTIONS, AND HOMEOSTASIS

• The liver is an essential organ in the body that is responsible for over 500 functions, including metabolism, detoxification, storage, synthesis, and immune function.
• Metabolism is a set of chemical reactions that help the body convert food into energy. The liver is involved in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
• Carbohydrate is a biomolecule of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. These are sugar molecules and are the body’s primary energy source. 
• Some of our sources of carbohydrates include bread, cookies, starchy vegetables, and fruits. 
• Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose. Then, the cells use the glucose as fuel to perform their functions.
• However, there are times when we intake more or less sugar than what is needed by the body.
• To maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood, the pancreas and liver work together. 
• Let’s say that an individual takes in a lot more glucose than he/she needs. The body will detect this increase in glucose levels and instruct the pancreas to release insulin. 
• Insulin is a hormone that lowers blood glucose levels by targeting the liver. The liver will then store the excess sugar in the form of glycogen, which will then be released when the body is low in glucose. 
• Glucagon will trigger the process of glycogenolysis, wherein the stored sugar in the liver is released so the body cells can use it as a source of energy.
• During fasting, the liver will facilitate the process of gluconeogenesis to create glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.
• Another nutrient or biomolecule needed by the body is lipids. These are fatty, waxy, and oily substances necessary for transporting and storing energy, creating energy, sending messages to cells, and more.
• The liver is involved in lipid metabolism by synthesizing cholesterol and lipoproteins needed for cell structure and transportation of fats in the bloodstream.
• The liver is also responsible for synthesizing triglycerides for storage and for the breakdown of excess fatty acids through the process of beta-oxidation.
• Just like carbohydrates and fats (or lipids), protein is also a biomolecule made up of the building blocks called amino acids.
• Proteins perform many essential functions in the body and can be found in the form of antibodies, enzymes, structural components, transport, and storage.
• The liver also helps in regulating the metabolism of proteins.
• The deamination and transamination of amino acids occur in the liver. 
• Deamination is a process wherein an amino group is removed from a molecule. Meanwhile, transamination is when an amino group is transferred to a keto acid to form a new amino acid.
• Deamination of free amino acids results in ammonia, which is toxic to the body and if not immediately removed from circulation, can lead to central nervous system disease. 
• The liver performs the urea cycle to remove ammonia from the body. Urea is then excreted as urine. 
• Another essential substance produced by the liver is albumin, the most common protein in the blood. This protein carries hormones, substances, and enzymes throughout the body.
• The liver is also responsible for removing toxins from the body.
• Detoxification is a set of processes that help remove impurities in the blood. The liver is responsible for removing the toxins from drugs, alcohol, and metabolic waste products. These toxins are converted by the liver into less harmful forms that can be excreted from the body.
• Aside from metabolism and detoxification, the liver is also responsible for storing some substances and vitamins that are yet to be used by the body.
• As mentioned earlier, the liver has a role in maintaining blood sugar levels. Thus, when we have excess glucose in the blood, the liver takes in some of them and converts them into glycogen.
• The liver stores this glycogen until the body needs it.
• Aside from glucose, vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12 are also stored in the liver, along with iron. 
• The liver also has a role in digestion. When we eat fatty foods, a substance called bile is needed to digest them. This substance is produced by the liver and is stored in the gallbladder. 
• When bile is needed, it utilizes the biliary tree to go where it is needed. Fat is digested from the stomach and will complete in the small intestine. 
• The liver is a vital organ responsible for performing functions or processes that sustain our life. Thus, it is crucial to keep it healthy. However, there are times when certain diseases or conditions occur.

DISEASES AND CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE LIVER

• As much as we want our livers to be in top shape, we sometimes cannot avoid acquiring diseases. 
• Liver disease is an umbrella term for any disease or condition affecting the liver. Liver disease can develop due to different reasons, such as genetics and lifestyle.
• Liver disease can go unnoticed as sometimes it doesn’t produce symptoms that can be seen or felt.

Here are the things to look out for to check if you have liver disease.

• Jaundice 
• Dark urine
• Pale or bloody stool
• Upper abdominal pain
• Nausea 
• Loss of appetite
• Itchy skin

Here are some of the common liver diseases.

• Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the body’s response during an injury, toxicity, or infection. 
• Inflammation of the liver can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis is short-term and usually rids the liver of infections and heals the organ. However, if the inflammation continues for longer, it is classified as chronic. Chronic hepatitis can result in scarring or fibrosis.
• There are five different types of hepatitis, some of which can be acute or chronic or can progress from acute to chronic. 
• Hepatitis A and E are acute, while B, C, and D can be acute or chronic or progress from acute to chronic.
• In addition, each type of hepatitis is caused by a different strain of hepatitis virus. Some types can be contagious and can be transmitted sexually.
• There are vaccines available for types A and B. For additional measures, sharing needles, using contraceptives, and having good hygiene can help prevent hepatitis.
• Aside from hepatitis, another condition causing inflammation in the liver is fatty liver disease. Unlike hepatitis, which is caused by a virus, fatty liver disease is lifestyle-related. 
• There are two types of fatty liver disease: alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 
• From the name itself, alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. 
• Meanwhile, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by other factors, which are still unknown but manifest in a person with no history of heavy alcohol consumption.
• Both types of fatty liver disease lead to liver damage but can be addressed with lifestyle changes.
• Aside from alcohol consumption, there’s also a drug-induced liver disease, which can be overturned when drug consumption is stopped.
• A person can also be predisposed to liver diseases due to their genetic makeup. These include hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease.
• Hemochromatosis is when the body stores more iron than needed, while Wilson’s disease is when the liver stores copper instead of releasing it into the bile ducts. 
• There are still a lot of conditions or diseases that affect the liver that are not mentioned here. Most, if not all, cause damage or scarring to the liver.
• Due to scarring or fibrosis, the liver gradually stiffens, preventing it from having enough blood supply and decreasing its oxygen and nutrient supply, leading to loss of vitality.
• The liver can regenerate, which can help reverse fibrosis, but only if the damage slows down, allowing the liver to recover.
• A lifestyle change is necessary. Alcohol consumption, diet, and sedentary lifestyle must be addressed to help the liver recover faster than the rate of damage.
• Fibrosis, if not addressed, can lead to liver cirrhosis.
• Cirrhosis is a condition wherein there’s too much damage or scarring in the liver that it can no longer be reversed. 
• When the liver damage is at this stage already, there are no healthy liver cells left to work on regeneration. Cirrhosis is irreversible, but the damage can be slowed down or stopped. 
• Cirrhosis will start affecting the functions of the liver. Since the body will try to compensate for the damage, a person with liver cirrhosis may not notice the changes at first.
• If there are no measures taken to help stop liver damage, cirrhosis can then lead to liver failure. This is when the liver can no longer perform the functions necessary for the body’s metabolism and homeostasis. Liver failure, albeit gradual, is deadly. A person cannot live without their liver.

Liver Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Liver across 31 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Liver. The liver is the largest internal organ of the body. It weighs about 1.36 kilograms or 3 pounds in an average person. The liver is reddish-brown in color and triangular in shape.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Liver Fact File
2. Crossword
3. Fact or Bluff?
4. Name it, the Liver Has it
5. Matters of the Liver
6. Balancing Sugars
7. Happy Liver, Healthy Life
8. Degenerating Liver
9. Regenerating the Liver
10. Liver Lover
11. To the Liver

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary functions of the liver?

The liver has several vital functions, including:

• Detoxification: It filters toxins from the blood, such as alcohol and drugs.
• Metabolism: It plays a crucial role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage and later use.
• Production of Bile: The liver produces bile, which is essential for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine.
• Storage of Vitamins and Minerals: It stores important vitamins (A, D, E, K, and B12) and minerals (iron and copper).
• Synthesis of Blood Clotting Factors: The liver produces proteins necessary for blood clotting.

What are common liver diseases and their causes?

Common liver diseases include:

Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, commonly caused by viral infections (Hepatitis A, B, C), alcohol consumption, or autoimmune diseases.
Cirrhosis: Chronic liver damage leading to scarring and liver failure, often due to long-term alcohol abuse, chronic hepatitis infections, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Fatty Liver Disease: Accumulation of fat in liver cells, which can be due to alcohol (alcoholic fatty liver disease) or metabolic issues like obesity and diabetes (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).
Liver Cancer: Can arise from chronic hepatitis infections or cirrhosis.
Liver Failure: A severe condition where the liver loses its ability to function, often due to severe liver damage or cirrhosis.

How can liver health be maintained?

To maintain liver health:

• Limit Alcohol Intake: Excessive alcohol can damage liver cells and lead to cirrhosis.
• Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while avoiding excessive sugars and fats.
• Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Avoid Toxins: Limit exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals. Use medications responsibly and avoid illicit drugs.
• Vaccinations: Get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B.
• Regular Check-Ups: Regular medical check-ups can help detect liver problems early

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