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Hepatitis C
Anatomy of the Liver
The liver is found at the upper right hand portion of the abdominal opening just under the diaphragm, but over the stomach, right kidney and intestines. It is a cone shaped organ that weighs approximately 3 pounds and appears to be dark red in color (USC Liver Transplant Program and Center for Liver Disease, 2012).
(1) right lobe, (2) left lobe, (3) caudate lobe, (4) quadrate lobe, (5) hepatic artery and portal vein, (6) hepatic lymph nodes, (7) gall bladder
The liver has two main sources of blood; blood from the hepatic artery, which is oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood from the hepatic portal vein. The liver contains up to one pint of the host body's blood supply all the time. It has two main lobes comprising of myriad of lobules. These...
The hepatic duct is the bile conduit from the liver to the gallbladder and duodenum.
Hepatitis C and Liver Functions
One unique characteristic of the Hepatitis C virus is that it presents those infected with different experiences. Some patients are able to clear the virus at early stages than others who will go on to develop chronic infection. The initial six months within the period of infection, the immune system produces antibodies to counter the virus. The virus affects the liver by weakening its ability to function properly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). However early diagnosis is crucial in preventing health issues that are most likely to lead to further infection…
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008, June 23). Hepatitis C FAQs for the Public. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from www.cdc.gov.
USC Liver Transplant Program and Center for Liver Disease. (2012). About the Liver. Retrieved November 17, 2012, from http://www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions/hep/abouttheliver.html
As the liver damage progresses, these symptoms may grow more severe. "The hepatitis C virus is linked to an increased risk of porphyria cutanea tarda, a condition that may cause a blistering rash, to cryoglobulinemia, which can cause a purplish rash (purpura) on…lower extremities, and may cause kidney damage" (Complications, 2009, The Mayo Clinic). Symptoms Many patients have no specific symptoms and the finding of abnormal hepatic transaminase levels on routine
Antiviral treatment is used in some cases, especially for treating Hepatitis C, but many of the side effects of this treatment are similar to the symptoms of hepatitis itself, and can become so life threatening that such treatments must be discontinued in some cases. In cases where treatment is absolutely needed but antiviral treatments either will not adequately address the cause of the disease or is deemed too dangerous,
Hep B The Causative Agent Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver. The primary microbe responsible for the manifestation of the disease is the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is a member of the hepadnavirus family. Other members of the hepadnavirus family affect both birds and small mammals including squirrels and woodchucks, but humans are the only known mammals to be susceptible to Hepatitis B in particular (Hepatitis B; McLachlan, 1991).
a&P Lab Design Project -- A&P Lab Ammonia (NH3) is produced by cells located throughout the body; most of the production occurring in the intestines, liver, and the kidney, where it is used to produce urea. Ammonia is particularly toxic to brain cells, and high levels of blood ammonia can also lead to organ failure. The imaginary organelle referred to as a hydrosome functions in a manner that decreases the blood