Difference between revisions of "Liver"
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| − | The '''liver''' is an [[organ]] of the body, part of the [[digestive system]]. | + | The '''liver''' is an [[organ]] of the body, a crucial part of the [[digestive system]] which produces [[bile]]. |
:A big [[blood vessel]], called the portal vein, carries [[nutrient]]-rich [[blood]] from your [[small intestine]] directly to your liver. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/liver/liver.shtml] | :A big [[blood vessel]], called the portal vein, carries [[nutrient]]-rich [[blood]] from your [[small intestine]] directly to your liver. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/liver/liver.shtml] | ||
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| + | The liver can be damaged by excessive [[alcohol]] consumption, [[drug abuse]] or, in severe cases, an extremely poor [[diet]]. However, it is one of the only organs in the body which can regenerate its own tissue fully, allowing recovery from liver damage if sensible steps are taken to address the cause of the damage. | ||
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| + | Animals' and birds' livers are often eaten as food, including [[lamb]], [[chicken]], [[duck]] and [[goose]] liver. Liver [[pâté]], such as [[foie gras]] is considered a delicacy, although there are concerns over the treatment of the ducks or geese involved, since this pâté can only be produced by chronically overfeeding them to engorge the liver. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 13:50, September 28, 2008
Template:Stub The liver is an organ of the body, a crucial part of the digestive system which produces bile.
- A big blood vessel, called the portal vein, carries nutrient-rich blood from your small intestine directly to your liver. [1]
The liver can be damaged by excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse or, in severe cases, an extremely poor diet. However, it is one of the only organs in the body which can regenerate its own tissue fully, allowing recovery from liver damage if sensible steps are taken to address the cause of the damage.
Animals' and birds' livers are often eaten as food, including lamb, chicken, duck and goose liver. Liver pâté, such as foie gras is considered a delicacy, although there are concerns over the treatment of the ducks or geese involved, since this pâté can only be produced by chronically overfeeding them to engorge the liver.