In: Anatomy and Physiology
Based on the dual blood supply in the liver, explain the fluid retention in the peritoneal cavity in two different pathophysiological conditions.
Liver ges its blood supply from hepatic artery and hepatic vein. This system is called as portal system. Any damage to the portal system will lead to an increase in pressure in this system which is called as portal hypertension. It is this portal hypertension that is responsible for accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. This accumulation of fluid is referred to as Ascites. Ascites is a conditionn which is seen in several pathophysiological conditions. Two important ones are the abdominal cancer and Liver cirrhosis.
In abdominal cancer, when cancer cells attack the portal system, then portal hypertension will develop. Naturally, the lymphatic system will get blocked by the cancer cells leading to fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity thereby causing ascites. As far as liver cirrhosis is considered, failure in liver functioning will create portal hypertension which then leads to splanchnic vasoldilation. Following this, there will be activation of a system which is known as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that will eventually lead to water retention and thereby causing ascites.