In brief
A large organ in the upper right of the abdomen. It makes bile, stores glucose as glycogen, makes proteins such as albumin and clotting factors, and filters medicines, alcohol and toxins.
- Liver function tests measure liver enzymes, bilirubin and albumin.
- Causes of fatty liver include being overweight, type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, high cholesterol or triglycerides, and too much alcohol.
- Hepatitis virus infection and excessive alcohol intake are common causes of cirrhosis.
How it works
Blood from the digestive system filters through the liver before it travels anywhere else in the body. The liver makes bile, which is stored in the gall bladder and helps break down dietary fats, and it converts glucose into glycogen for storage. Most of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver.
Medicines and drugs, including alcohol, are filtered through the liver. Fatty liver disease affects about 1 in 3 Australian adults, according to healthdirect. Its main type, metabolic associated fatty liver disease, used to be called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and in most people the liver damage can be reversed.
Connections
8 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Liver is affected by
Extra fat in the liver causes inflammation, which leads to scarring (fibrosis) of the liver.
- Ashwagandha Supported
Cases of liver injury linked with ashwagandha continue to be reported to the TGA, though the risk appears to be very rare.
Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration, Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) and liver injury
- Turmeric and curcumin Supported
Liver damage has been reported in some people who took highly bioavailable curcumin products.
Source: NIH NCCIH, Turmeric
Alcohol is filtered through the liver, and excessive alcohol intake is a common cause of cirrhosis.
Liver is linked with
Most of the cholesterol in your body is made by your liver, and HDL carries cholesterol back to the liver.
- Psoriasis Supported
People with psoriasis may have a higher chance of other health problems, such as liver disease.
Liver is part of
The liver makes bile, which is stored in the gall bladder and helps break down dietary fats.
Sources: Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), Liver; Better Health Channel (Victorian Government), Digestive system explained
Liver is measured by
Liver function tests measure liver enzymes, bilirubin and albumin, which together help build a picture of your liver's health.
Lab tests
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from the Better Health Channel, healthdirect and Pathology Tests Explained. Sources read on 13, 16 and 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.