Abstract
Basic information about functional structure of the liver is described in this paper.We focused in description of mutual relations between different cell types in the liver acinus and of the metabolic functions of the liver.Crucial role of liver in maintenance of constant glucose concentration in plasma is mentioned along with information about regulation of glucose metabolism in the liver(humoral and nervous regulation,effect of various concentrations of energy substrates,changes of hepatocyte volume as a consequence of water transport,role of zonal heterogeneity of hepatocytes).We described role of the liver in metabolism of amino acids and ammonium with emphasis on importance of coordinated regulation of glutamine metabolism in liver and kidney,which serves for acid-base balance.Last part of the article concerns lipid metabolism-beta-oxidation of fatty acids,cholesterol and phospholipids formation,lipoprotein synthesis,lipogenesis,and conversion of saccharides and proteins to fat.