Sometimes referred to as the great chemical factory of the body, the liver creates, regulates, and stores a variety of substances used by the gastrointestinal system, and it serves a number of important digestive functions.

　　The main digestive chemical synthesized by the liver is bile. During a meal, bile is secreted by liver cells and travels through the hepatic duct system into the small intestine where it is used to break down fat molecules.

　　Between meals, bile is stored in the gall bladder. Bile further serves as a waste disposal system for toxins removed from the blood by the liver.

　　The liver also plays a major role in the regulation of blood glucose (blood sugar). The liver synthesizes, dissolves, and stores amino acids, protein, and fat. It stores several important vitamins like B12 and Vitamin A. The liver also disposes of cellular waste and breaks down harmful substances, like alcohol.

　　肝的消化功能

　　由于机体是一个大的化学工厂，肝脏产生、调节和储存一系列物质用于胃肠道，它有许多重要的消化功能。

　　肝进行消化的化学性物质是胆汁。就餐时，肝细胞分泌的胆汁通过肝管系统进入小肠，消化脂肪微粒。

　　在两餐之间，胆汁被储存在胆囊。胆汁还用于肝从血液排除毒素废物。

　　肝脏在调节血液葡萄糖（血糖）的作用中也起着非常重要的作用。肝脏合成、分解和储存氨基酸、蛋白质和脂肪。它储存一些重要的维生素，如B12和维生素A。肝也代谢细胞废物和分解有害物质，如酒精。