What is the role of the liver and hepatic portal circulation

What is the role of the liver and hepatic portal circulation in the absorption of nutrients in the stomach, small intestine and large intestine?

Solution

Liver absorbs all the nutrients from the small intestine.The main function of liver is the processing of the nutrients that is absorbed. After processing, the liver makes various chemicals that is required by the body to function,detoxifies some chemicals ,breaks down and secretes drugs.The blood carrying the nutrients reaches the liver to be absorbed by the help of hepatic portal system that is made up of the hepatic portal vein and its branches.This portal system collects blood from the small intestine,spleen,gall bladder, stomach,pancreas,large intestine and tranfers it to the liver where the absorption and processing of nutrients is done by the liver.Blood that reaches the liver through the hepatic portal vein is rich in glucose.The cells of the liver known as hepatocytes absorb more of the glucose and store it as glycogen. Fatty acids in the liver are are absorbed and metabolised to form ATP. Through gluconeogenesis,glcerol is converted into glucose by hepatocytes.