Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Liver Physiology

Liver Physiology

The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can also...

Gross Anatomy of the Liver

Gross Anatomy of the Liver

The liver, the largest gland within the human body, is a firm and reddish-brown organ. This wedge-shaped structure weighs approximately 1.5 kg and occupies a significant portion of the right hypochondriac and epigastric regions. It extends more to the right of the body's midline than to the left.
Located under the diaphragm, the liver is almost entirely ensconced within the rib cage, providing it with substantial protection. Except for the superior most bare area, the liver's surface is covered...

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...

Teratogenicity

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...

Liver Regeneration

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

UK consensus on pregnancy in multiple sclerosis: An update to 'Association of British Neurologists' guidance.

Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)·2026

Same author

A case report of miliary tuberculosis diagnosed in the peripartum period.

Obstetric medicine·2026

Same author

Managing Respiratory Failure in Late Pregnancy.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Same author

Beyond the Seizure: Hidden Neurological Burden in Hypertensive Pregnancy.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2026

Same author

Migraine, associated treatments and risk of miscarriage: A matched cohort study and nested case-control study using the CPRD pregnancy register.

Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache·2026

Same author

Pregnancy in women with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): maternal and neonatal outcomes with multi-speciality management.

Journal of neurology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

The Use of Gas Chromatography to Analyze Compositional Changes of Fatty Acids in Rat Liver Tissue during Pregnancy

The Use of Gas Chromatography to Analyze Compositional Changes of Fatty Acids in Rat Liver Tissue during Pregnancy

Published on: March 13, 2014

Pregnancy and the liver.

Misha Moore¹, Catherine Nelson-Piercy

¹Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Homerton University Hospital, London.

British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005)

|November 16, 2011

Summary

Pregnancy alters liver metabolism and physiology, affecting liver function tests. Diagnosis of liver disorders during pregnancy requires careful consideration of these physiological changes.

Area of Science:

Hepatology
Obstetrics
Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

Pregnancy involves significant physiological changes impacting liver function and metabolism.
Liver diseases in pregnancy can be specific to gestation or unrelated, requiring careful management for both mother and fetus.
Altered liver metabolism during pregnancy includes decreased serum albumin and changes in liver enzyme levels.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the physiological alterations in liver metabolism during pregnancy.
To discuss the diagnostic challenges posed by altered liver function tests in pregnant individuals.
To highlight the importance of considering maternal and fetal well-being in managing liver diseases during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

Literature review of physiological changes in the pregnant liver.

More Related Videos

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development

Published on: July 13, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 27, 2026

The Use of Gas Chromatography to Analyze Compositional Changes of Fatty Acids in Rat Liver Tissue during Pregnancy

The Use of Gas Chromatography to Analyze Compositional Changes of Fatty Acids in Rat Liver Tissue during Pregnancy

Published on: March 13, 2014

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development

Published on: July 13, 2014

Analysis of altered serum protein concentrations and liver enzyme levels during gestation.

Discussion of diagnostic considerations for liver disorders in pregnancy.

Main Results:

Serum albumin decreases due to increased plasma volume during pregnancy.
Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels decrease, complicating subtle liver disorder diagnosis.
Placental production of alkaline phosphatase renders it an unreliable marker for liver dysfunction in pregnancy.

Conclusions:

Pregnancy-induced physiological changes significantly alter liver function tests.
Accurate diagnosis of liver conditions in pregnancy necessitates understanding these metabolic shifts.
Management strategies must prioritize the health of both the mother and the developing fetus.