Body Systems

The Liver

By Shae Brackett, LMT Customer Service & Social Media

The Liver
01

Meet The Liver

The liver holds about 13% of the body’s blood supply at any given time. It consists of four lobes: the larger right lobe, left lobe, smaller caudate lobe, and quadrate lobe. The falciform ligament divides the right and left lobes, which connect the liver to the abdominal wall. The lobes are made up of eight sections which are made up of thousands of small lobes. Each of the lobes has a duct that flows toward the common hepatic duct, which drains the liver of bile. 

There are many essential parts of the liver. The Common hepatic duct is a tube that carries bile out of the liver. The Falciform ligament which connects it to the abdominal wall. Glisson’s Capsule is a layer of loose connective tissue surrounding the liver and its arteries and ducts. The hepatic artery is the main blood vessel, carrying blood from the spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal tract to the liver. The peritoneum is the exterior membrane that covers the liver. 

02

Anatomy & Function

The liver is about the size of a football. It is the largest solid organ in the body, the second largest organ, and the largest gland. It weighs about 3 to 3.5 pounds. It is located in the upper right side of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. The rib cage protects it. The liver is cone-shaped and dark reddish-brown in color. It is an essential organ that performs about 500 vital bodily functions. 

The liver filters all the blood in the body and breaks down any poisonous substances, like alcohol and drugs. It removes toxins from the body’s blood supply, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, regulates blood clotting, removes waste products like old red blood cells, metabolizes protein, carbohydrates, and fats so the body can use them, and creates essential nutrients. It produces bile to help digest fats and move waste. It produces albumin, a protein that keeps fluids in the bloodstream from leaking into surrounding tissues. It also contains hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout the body. It ensures that amino acid levels are healthy. It removes bacteria from the bloodstream as part of the filtering process. It stores large amounts of vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, iron and copper. It removes excess glucose from the bloodstream and stores it as glycogen, and it can also convert glycogen back into glucose when needed. 
01

Meet The Liver

The liver holds about 13% of the body’s blood supply at any given time. It consists of four lobes: the larger right lobe, left lobe, smaller caudate lobe, and quadrate lobe. The falciform ligament divides the right and left lobes, which connect the liver to the abdominal wall. The lobes are made up of eight sections which are made up of thousands of small lobes. Each of the lobes has a duct that flows toward the common hepatic duct, which drains the liver of bile. 

There are many essential parts of the liver. The Common hepatic duct is a tube that carries bile out of the liver. The Falciform ligament which connects it to the abdominal wall. Glisson’s Capsule is a layer of loose connective tissue surrounding the liver and its arteries and ducts. The hepatic artery is the main blood vessel, carrying blood from the spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal tract to the liver. The peritoneum is the exterior membrane that covers the liver. 

02

Anatomy & Function

The liver is about the size of a football. It is the largest solid organ in the body, the second largest organ, and the largest gland. It weighs about 3 to 3.5 pounds. It is located in the upper right side of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. The rib cage protects it. The liver is cone-shaped and dark reddish-brown in color. It is an essential organ that performs about 500 vital bodily functions. 

The liver filters all the blood in the body and breaks down any poisonous substances, like alcohol and drugs. It removes toxins from the body’s blood supply, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, regulates blood clotting, removes waste products like old red blood cells, metabolizes protein, carbohydrates, and fats so the body can use them, and creates essential nutrients. It produces bile to help digest fats and move waste. It produces albumin, a protein that keeps fluids in the bloodstream from leaking into surrounding tissues. It also contains hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout the body. It ensures that amino acid levels are healthy. It removes bacteria from the bloodstream as part of the filtering process. It stores large amounts of vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, iron and copper. It removes excess glucose from the bloodstream and stores it as glycogen, and it can also convert glycogen back into glucose when needed. 

Supporting Systems and Interactions

The human body is a marvel of interconnected systems, each playing a vital role in maintaining balance, health, and vitality. While we often think of the body's organs and processes in isolation, the truth is that no part functions alone. Every system relies on and influences others in a delicate dance of cooperation.

When one system is compromised, others often compensate or respond, illustrating how deeply intertwined all functions are. The body, then, is not just a collection of parts, but an integrated whole, where every aspect plays a crucial role in maintaining the flow of life, energy, and healing. Understanding this interconnectedness allows us to approach health holistically, nurturing not just individual parts, but the whole person.

My Liver Is Thriving

Fun & Interesting Facts

  • The liver is the largest solid organ in the body. It is the second largest organ in the body; the largest is the skin, and it is the largest gland in the body
  • It is about the size of a football and weights around 3lbs 
  • It works hard and takes a lot of abuse; it is elastic but can only stretch so much. It is so important that it is the only organ in the body that can regenerate
  • It stores vitamins and nutrients for when we need them
  • It helps to break down food and converts it to energy 
  • A healthy liver is about 10% fat
  • The liver produces FGF21, which helps to maintain core body temperature during cold exposure 

What is necessary for the optimal health of this system? 

Achieving and maintaining a balanced, healthy life requires a holistic approach that recognizes the complex interplay between nutrition, lifestyle, the use of herbs and supplements. Each of these elements plays a unique yet interconnected role in supporting the body's intricate systems.

Together, nutrition, lifestyle, and herbal support create a synergistic approach to health. They nurture the body as a whole, and support the body’s natural ability to heal, adapt, and flourish. Understanding the role each of these elements plays allows us to make more informed choices that contribute to lasting well-being.

Supporting Recipe

Turmeric Ginger Detox Smoothie

This powerful blend of ingredients helps promote liver health and detoxification. Turmeric and ginger are known to support the body's natural, healthy state, free from excess inflammation. They alsohave antioxidant properties, which help to protect the liver from damage and promote overall liver function. Ginger is also helpful in promoting digestion. Blueberries, chia seeds, and leafy greens are packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Sea salt is full of minerals and helps with hydration. The honey rounds it out for taste. 

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About The Author

Shae Brackett our Customer Service Director and Social Media Manager, has been with RidgeCrest since 2016. Shae is a licensed massage therapist, and guides the customer care team, is our culture caretaker, and serves as our creative oracle across social media, blogs, and meditations. She describes herself as creative, thoughtful, nature-loving, compassionate, and nurturing. Her favorite herbs are Ginger and Lavender, and she proudly recommends SereniZen® (formerly Anxiety Free), PhysiQOL™, SinusClear®, and Belly Be Happy®.

Click to meet the team.

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