FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER 375 



(8). These changes are caused by the enzymes, (9), 



(10), and (11). The hormone (12) causes 



the pancreas to secrete (13) (14), which is 



(15) in its reaction. 





PROBLEM VI. WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER? 



Liver. The liver is the largest gland in the body. In man, it 

 is found just below the diaphragm, a little to the right side of the 

 body. The liver is not primarily a digestive gland, although it 

 secretes daily about a quart of bile. Bile contains no enzymes, 

 although it may have the power of rendering more active the 

 enzyme in the pancreatic fluid that acts upon fats. Certain sub- 

 stances in the bile aid especially in the absorption of fats. Bile 

 seems to be mostly a waste product from the blood. The color 

 of bile is due to certain waste substances which come from the 

 destruction of worn-out red corpuscles of the blood. This destruc- 

 tion takes place in the liver (and also in the spleen, sl large ductless 

 glandlike organ near the stomach). The bile stimulates the 

 peristaltic movements of the intestine, thus preventing extreme 

 constipation. It also has a slight antiseptic effect in the intestine. 



The liver a storehouse. 

 Perhaps the most important 

 function of the liver is the 

 formation and storing of a 

 material called glycogen, or 

 animal starch. The liver is 

 supplied with blood from two 

 sources. Some comes from 

 the heart, but a greater 

 amount comes directly from 

 the walls of the stomach and 

 intestine (see diagram on 

 page 378) . The liver normally 

 contains about one fifth of all 

 the blood in the body. This blood is very rich in food ma- 

 terials, and from it the cells of the liver take out sugars to form 



pancreatic 



What glandular secretions aid in the digestion of 

 the food in the small intestine ? 



