Question

Explain the relationship between the cardiovascular system and the liver.

Answer 1

The liver gets oxygen rich blood from the heart which gives nutrients, the liver receives up to 25% of cardiac output, and is therefore highly sensitive to reduction in blood flow Blood leaves the liver through the hepatic veins. The hepatic veins carry blood to the inferior vena cava which is the the largest vein in the body,which then carries blood from the abdomen and lower parts of the body to the right side of the heart. The hepatic portal vein does not carry blood directlly to the heart, but it branches into secondary capillaries in the liver, before being carried to heart.

Problems with heart can lead to problems in liver, if heart cannot pump blood effectively to the liver ( as seen during heart failure) than the livers ablity to remove toxins gets comprmised as a result toxins cannot be removed and these toxins starts to accumulate, this can scar the organ to the point where it doesn't work as well as it should.