DISORDER OF THE LIVER, GALLBLADDER, AND
PANCREAS
BILE PRODUCTION AND EXCRETION
Bilirubin is the result of normal breakdown of old RBCs in the liver and secreted into the bile
Bile produced in the liver passes through the cystic duct into the gallbladder for storage
Fats are passed into the duodenum
Gallbladder and liver respond by delivering bile through the common bile duct into small
intestine to emulsify fat
Unconjugated…conjugated = chemical bond that joins substances (pairs)…so
unconjugated means unbonded
Emusify = to mix lumpily together
THE LIVER AND METABOLISM
The liver helps maintain blood glucose levels by:
Glycogenesis. After a meal, excess glucose molecules are taken up by the liver,
combined, and then stored as glycogen
Glycogenolysis: When blood glucose level falls, the process is reversed, and the
glucose molecules are returned to the blood
Gluconeogenesis: Fats and protein broken down in response to low blood glucose
levels, and molecules are used to make new glucose
Protein metabolism: Some nonessential amino acids, plasma proteins, and clotting
factors are synthesized in the liver. Another liver function: converting ammonia to urea.
Ammonia is a byproduct of the metabolism of amino acids. If ammonia accumulates in
the blood, it has toxic effects on brain tissue
Lipid metabolism:Synthesizes lipids from glucose, pyruvic acid, acetic acid, and amino
acids. Also synthesizes fatty acids, breaks down triglycerides, synthesizes and breaks
down cholesterol
Blood coagulation: Normal blood coagulation (clotting) is a complex process. Two
essential elements for coagulation, prothrombin and fibrinogen, are synthesized by the
liver
Detoxification: Liver filters the blood and inactivates many chemicals, including most
medications
PANCREAS
BILE PRODUCTION AND EXCRETION
Bilirubin is the result of normal breakdown of old RBCs in the liver and secreted into the bile
Bile produced in the liver passes through the cystic duct into the gallbladder for storage
Fats are passed into the duodenum
Gallbladder and liver respond by delivering bile through the common bile duct into small
intestine to emulsify fat
Unconjugated…conjugated = chemical bond that joins substances (pairs)…so
unconjugated means unbonded
Emusify = to mix lumpily together
THE LIVER AND METABOLISM
The liver helps maintain blood glucose levels by:
Glycogenesis. After a meal, excess glucose molecules are taken up by the liver,
combined, and then stored as glycogen
Glycogenolysis: When blood glucose level falls, the process is reversed, and the
glucose molecules are returned to the blood
Gluconeogenesis: Fats and protein broken down in response to low blood glucose
levels, and molecules are used to make new glucose
Protein metabolism: Some nonessential amino acids, plasma proteins, and clotting
factors are synthesized in the liver. Another liver function: converting ammonia to urea.
Ammonia is a byproduct of the metabolism of amino acids. If ammonia accumulates in
the blood, it has toxic effects on brain tissue
Lipid metabolism:Synthesizes lipids from glucose, pyruvic acid, acetic acid, and amino
acids. Also synthesizes fatty acids, breaks down triglycerides, synthesizes and breaks
down cholesterol
Blood coagulation: Normal blood coagulation (clotting) is a complex process. Two
essential elements for coagulation, prothrombin and fibrinogen, are synthesized by the
liver
Detoxification: Liver filters the blood and inactivates many chemicals, including most
medications
