{# Crawler directives — per-engine only. A bare `robots` meta is deliberately absent: pruning here is a Google indexation decision, never a crawl block, so AI crawlers keep the full surface. #}

Hígado

Hepar

The largest internal organ, the liver performs over 500 metabolic functions, among them bile production, detoxification, synthesis of proteins such as albumin and clotting factors, storage of glycogen, and drug metabolism. Wedge-shaped, it occupies the right hypochondriac and epigastric regions of the abdomen and is divided into right and left lobes by the falciform ligament. On its inferior surface, the porta hepatis marks where the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct enter and leave. Chronic injury from alcohol or hepatitis leads to cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary cancer of the organ. Hepatitis B and C remain major global health concerns, and transplantation is performed for end-stage liver disease.

Un órgano grande, de forma cuneiforme, que ocupa las regiones hipocondriaca derecha y epigástrica del abdomen. Está dividido en lóbulos derecho e izquierdo por el ligamento falciforme. El hilio hepático, en la superficie inferior, es el sitio de entrada y salida de la arteria hepática, la vena porta y el conducto biliar.

On this page
Tipo Organ
Sistema corporal Digestivo
Región corporal Abdomen
Nombre latino Hepar
FMA ID 7197

Función

El órgano interno más grande, que realiza más de 500 funciones metabólicas, incluidas la producción de bilis, la desintoxicación, la síntesis de proteínas (albúmina, factores de coagulación), el almacenamiento de glucógeno y el metabolismo de fármacos.

Significado clínico

La cirrosis resulta de una enfermedad hepática crónica (alcohol, hepatitis). El carcinoma hepatocelular es un cáncer hepático primario. Las hepatitis B y C son problemas de salud pública de importancia mundial. El trasplante hepático se realiza en la enfermedad hepática terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main functions of the liver?

The liver performs over 500 known functions. Key roles include metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; detoxifying drugs, alcohol, and metabolic waste products; producing bile for fat digestion; synthesizing plasma proteins including albumin and clotting factors; and storing glycogen, vitamins (A, D, B12), and iron. It is the primary organ of metabolism.

Where is the liver located?

The liver is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm and above the stomach. It is the largest solid organ in the body, weighing approximately 1,400–1,600 grams in adults. It is covered by a fibrous capsule (Glisson's capsule) and is divided into right and left lobes separated by the falciform ligament.

What is liver cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease characterized by replacement of normal liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue, disrupting normal liver architecture and function. Common causes include chronic alcohol use, hepatitis B or C infection, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Complications include portal hypertension, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:7197 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0002107 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)
  3. Wikipedia — Hígado Encyclopedia article (verified cross-reference)

Aviso médico

Este contenido es solo para fines educativos e informativos. No pretende ser un sustituto del consejo médico profesional, diagnóstico o tratamiento. Siempre busque el consejo de su médico u otro proveedor de salud calificado ante cualquier pregunta que pueda tener sobre una condición médica. Nunca ignore el consejo médico profesional ni demore en buscarlo debido a algo que haya leído en este sitio web.

Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.