the liver cercrets
The liver secretes many important substances and chemicals necessary for digestion, metabolism, and detoxification. Some of the key secretions of the liver include:
1. Bile: The liver produces and secretes bile, a greenish-yellow fluid that helps in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile is stored in the gallbladder until it is needed in the small intestine.
2. Albumin: The liver synthesizes and releases albumin, a protein that helps maintain the osmotic pressure of blood and regulates the distribution of fluids in the body.
3. Clotting factors: The liver produces several clotting factors, including fibrinogen and prothrombin, which are vital for the formation of blood clots to prevent excessive bleeding.
4. Immune factors: Hepatocytes in the liver secrete various immune factors like complement proteins and acute-phase proteins, which play a crucial role in the body's defense against infections and inflammation.
5. Glucose: The liver stores glycogen, a polysaccharide that can be broken down into glucose and released into the bloodstream when needed to maintain blood sugar levels.
6. Urea: The liver metabolizes ammonia, a toxic byproduct of protein breakdown, into urea, a less toxic form that is excreted by the kidneys in the urine.
7. Hormonal regulation: The liver plays a role in the production and secretion of various hormones, including insulin-like growth factor (IGF), insulin degradation enzyme, and angiotensinogen.
These are just a few examples of the many secretions and functions of the liver. The liver performs over 500 different functions essential for overall health and well-being.