Difference between Liver and Kidney

The liver is the second largest organ found in the human body. It is reddish-brown and is present on the right side of the stomach, specifically in the abdominal area.

It helps to break down the fat into fatty acids, thereby helping the body in digestion. It also stores glycogen and other necessary vitamins and minerals. The stored glycogen provides energy to the body. As a result, the liver is also referred to as the body’s storehouse.

Two main cells are found in the liver, namely Hepatocytes and Kupffer. The former secretes bile juice, which helps the body break down all the fat into fatty acids. While the latter kills the bacteria. 

The structural and functional unit of the liver is the hepatic lobules. There are precisely 10,000 hepatic lobules in a liver. The major parts of the liver comprise

1. Right lobe (larger)
2. Left lobe (smaller)
3. Common Hepatic Duct
4. Lobules
5. Glisson’s Capsule
6. Peritoneum

1. Hepatitis
   1. Loss of appetite
   2. Pain in abdomen
   3. Jaundice
   4. Fatigue
   5. Joint pain
   6. Vomit 
   7. Nausea
2. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 
   1. Tiredness/ fatigue
   2. Pain
   3. Weight loss
3. Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) 
   1. Blood in vomit and stools
   2. Swollen stomach 
   3. Swollen ankles
   4. Confusion
   5. Jaundice

The kidney is a fistful-sized organ involved in the excretion of unwanted products from the body. The kidneys appear reddish brown and are in a pair (two in number), each positioned underneath the rib cage on each side of the spine. 

The smallest or structural unit of a kidney is called Nephron. The chief function of the kidney is to filter out waste and toxins from the body. It does so in the form of urine, which is called excretion. 

Not only does the kidney remove the waste, but it also reabsorbs the vital vitamins, ions, and minerals from the filtered/ waste material. 

The major part of the kidney includes 

1. Cortex (outer part)
2. Medulla (inner part)
3. Renal pelvis

1. Kidney Stones
   1. Sense of burning during urination
   2. Nausea 
   3. Pain in the abdomen
2. Polycystic kidney disease
   1. Blood in urine
   2. Increment in kidney size
   3. High blood pressure
   4. Abdominal or back pain
   5. Fullness in abdomen
3. Urinary tract infections
   1. Burning sensation while urinating 
   2. Blood in urine
   3. Frequent urination at night 
   4. Urge to pee than usual
4. Chronic kidney disease
   1. Insomnia
   2. Weight loss
   3. Urging to pee at night, more often than usual 
   4. Blood in urine,
   5. Swollen feet and ankles
   6. Itchiness

Liver has some unknown amazing facts. Some of them are given below: 

1. The liver is the only organ in the human body that completely regenerates itself.
2. It has around 500 functions to perform.
3. It is the largest human body gland, weighing approximately 1.5 kg. 
4. 10% of the liver is made up of fat.
5. It possesses great elasticity.
6. A healthy liver helps in good health of the brain.
7. Helps in metabolising medicines, hormones and carbohydrates.

Kidney boasts interesting facts. A few of them are stated below: 

1. The kidneys consist of over 1 million nephrons.
2. The right kidney is slightly lower in position than the left one. 
3. Kidneys can filter 78 litres of blood in a minute. 
4. It also produces a hormone, Renin, which helps regulate blood pressure. 
5. Kidneys receive around 25% of the body’s total blood.
6. Size of polycystic kidneys can grow to the size of a football.

The kidneys and the liver are two important organs of the human body. They differ in various aspects, including shape, size, location, and functions. 

Present on the right side of the abdomen, the liver is conical-shaped. It mainly indulges in bile production, blood clotting, and protein production. Meanwhile, the kidneys are bean-shaped organs involved in osmoregulation and hormone production. However, the biggest difference between the liver and the kidney is that the liver performs digestive functions, whereas the kidney carries out excretory functions. 

Most liver and kidney diseases are easily curable. However, there are many diseases which, if left untreated, may be life-threatening. That’s why one should not ignore any kind of symptoms and should immediately consult the respective doctor. So if you or your loved ones are going through kidney or liver-related issues, contact HexaHealth and seek expert advice from our team of experienced doctors, and that too free of cost. Visit our site HexaHealth for a FREE CONSULTATION CALL. 

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