Reflections: Digestive System III

     The liver is surrounded by fibrous connective tissue that is called Glison's capusle. Exterior to the capsule is a serous covering, the visceral peritoneum. However, the visceral peritoneum is not found where the liver meets with the diaphragm and other organs. The liver has grooves that divided into four lobes, two large lobes (left and right lobe) and two smaller lobes (quadrate and caudate lobes). The liver starts off as an endodemal evagination in the embryo. Then it forms the hepatic diverticulum, which proliferates and create hepatocytes that constitute the parenchyma. The liver is important in producing and secreting plasma proteins, regulating vitamins and nutrients, and maintains blood glucose levels. Moreover, it also plays a role in degrading drugs and toxic substances. The liver acts as an exocrine gland because it produces bile secretion and lastly, it also functions as an endocrine gland.
     The gallbladder is located at the visceral surface of the liver. Its main function is to store bile, it also removes approximately 90% of the water. The small intestine secretes hormones that cause contractions of the gallbladder that lead to bile discharge into the duodenum. The pancreas is divided into three sections: head, body, and tail. The gland is surrounded by a capsule that is made up of a layer of connective tissue. The pancreas as both an endocrine and exocrine gland. The endocrine component of the gland regulates blood glucose levels by synthesizing and secreting insulin and glucagon. The exocrine component of the gland functions as a serous gland and secretes digestive enzymes.