ABSTRACT
The liver is a large glandular organ comprising two main lobes. The large left and right lobes of the human liver are further subdivided into a number of smaller lobules. The liver is responsible for performing a number of crucial functions that are essential for normal life (see Table 17.1). Alteration of liver function may result from exposure to a number of factors such as viruses, alcohol, toxins and drugs and can result in conditions such as
hepatitis
and
cirrhosis
. In light of the many key functions of the liver, factors that affect liver function will often have profound effects on normal physiology and function.
