The reddish-brown organ, liver is the largest glandular organ of the body, weighing about 1.36 kg. It has four unequal sized lobes lying on the right side of the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm and on top of the stomach, right kidney and intestine.
There are two large vessels that carry blood to the liver known as:-
• Hepatic artery
• Portal vein
The liver has two main lobes which are made up of thousands of lobules. These lobules are connected to small ducts that connect with larger ducts to ultimately form the hepatic duct.
The liver produces bile and the hepatic duct transports bile to the gallbladder and duodenum. It has many functions, some of which are detoxification, protein synthesis and the production of biochemicals necessary for digestion.
The liver filters harmful substances from the blood. It also stores vitamins and minerals and maintains a proper level of glucose in the blood.
The liver performs a number of vital functions. Some of the more well-known functions include:
• Metabolism
The liver has a key role in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. It stabilizes glucose level by the processes of glycogenesis, glycogenolysis gluconeogenesis.
• Drug Disposition
The liver has a rich enzyme system that allows the metabolism of many drugs, including alcohol.
• Bile Formation
The liver produces bile that provides the main excretory pathway for toxic metabolites, cholesterol and lipid waste products.
• Other Functions
Other functions of the liver include the production of coagulation factors I (Fibrinogen), II (prothrombin), V, VII, IX, X and XI as well as protein C, protein S and antithrombin.
There are various symptoms that help a physician to diagnose liver disease.these are:-
• Jaundice
• Cholestasis
• Liver enlargement
• Ascites
• Portal hypertension
• Liver encephalopathy
• Liver failure
The term "liver disease" applies to various disorders that lead to improper functioning of the liver, or the cessation of liver function. Liver diseases are classified as the following:
• Virus-induced liver disease
Liver diseases caused by viruses are generally referred to as virus-induced liver disease. Hepatitis is one of these.
• Liver tumors
A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that forms due to uncontrolled growth of cells. Liver tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
• Congenital liver defects
Defects of the liver present at birth are referred to as congenital liver defects. These defects usually affect bile ducts and the flow of bile.
• Autoimmune liver disorders
Any reaction or attack of a person's immune system against its own organs and tissues is called an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder can cause chronic active hepatitis.
• Alcohol-induced liver disease
As the name suggests, liver diseases caused by excessive consumption of alcohol are known as alcohol-induced liver diseases. These are common but preventable diseases.
• Chronic liver disease
Progressive destruction of liver tissue is known as chronic liver disease. Severe chronic liver disease can ultimately lead to liver transplant becoming necessary.
The liver is the largest internal organ and keeps a person alive by performing over 100 separate bodily functions. The liver's sheer complexity makes it susceptible to many different diseases. Most liver diseases are rare, but a few are common, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver disorders in children, alcohol-related disorders, and liver cancer.
Despite exciting advances in the treatment of liver diseases in recent years, a significant number of patients do not achieve successful treatment. This results in a large and growing population of patients with liver diseases.
According to a new technical market research report, Liver Disease Treatments: The Global Market (PHM057A) from BCC Research (www.bccresearch.com), the value of the global market for liver disease treatments was an estimated $8.4 billion in 2009, but is expected to increase to more than $9.7 billion in 2014, for a 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0%.
The largest segment of the market, Hepatitis, is projected to increase at a CAGR of 1.2%, rising to nearly $4.7 billion in 2014, after being valued at nearly $4.5 billion in 2009.
The second-largest segment, Chronic liver diseases, is estimated at $1.16 billion in 2009, and is expected to decrease at a 5-year CAGR of -0.2% to reach $1.15 billion in 2014.
The Liver tumors segment is expected to reach $2.6 billion in 2014, after rising at a CAGR of 15% from its 2009 value of nearly $1.29 billion.
The scope of the report is broad and includes an in-depth look at each market and its leaders, the different types of liver diseases, the different types of drug products to treat liver diseases, the regulatory environment, the regional market for liver diseases and the drug products used to treat them, and market projections and market share.
This report is useful to the chemical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, as well as clinics and hospitals.
You can download the introduction chapter for free at http://www.bccresearch.com/report/PHM057A.html
About the Author: BCC Research is a leading publisher of market research reports and technical publications. Forthcoming report information can be found on our Web site at www.bccresearch.com
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