Organs
Liver
Interactive Liver
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The liver is the largest organ in your body and plays a vital role in regulating life processes. It is the only vital organ in the body capable of regenerating itself. The liver is located behind the lower ribs on the right side of your abdomen and weighs about 3 pounds and is roughly the size of a football.
A transplant is the only treatment available for patients suffering from irreversible liver disease. The most common conditions that lead to liver transplantation in adults are the viruses (Hepatitis B and C) and/or alcohol and those caused by problems concerning the bile ducts (primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis). There are other causes of end-stage liver disease, but they are less frequent.
Children can suffer from biliary atresia, a congenital failure of the bile ducts to develop. This prohibits bile drainage from the liver and eventually results in liver failure. Chronic forms of hepatitis.
There are different sources of donor livers. Usually the liver is obtained from a cadaveric donor (a person diagnosed as "brain dead" but whose other organs and systems are functioning properly).
Due to a continuous shortage of donor livers and the high incidence of liver disease, the waiting time is increasing every year. Hundreds of people die each year while waiting for a cadaveric liver to be offered. Donor livers also can be obtained from a family member or a friend who donates a portion of his/her liver to the patient.
In 2003 there were 5,670 liver transplants performed. During that time period, 1,705 people died while waiting for a transplant.
