Question

The liver is …… gland of the body -
A. Tallest
B. Smallest
C. Largest
D. Thickest

Answer 1

There are many secretory structures found in the human body. Glands form a major part of these. Glands are of two types - Ductless glands (endocrine) which directly pour their secretions into the blood and Ductular glands (exocrine) that pour their secretions into their associated ducts. All of these glands together handle major body functions. The common endocrine glands are pituitary, pineal, thyroid, adrenal, etc. and the common exocrine glands are the liver, pancreas, salivary glands, etc..

Complete answer: Among the exocrine glands present, the goblet cells are unicellular and the smallest gland in the body. The pineal gland is also the smallest endocrine gland of the body.
The liver is the largest gland in the human body and the heaviest organ weighing about 1.5 kg.
The liver performs vital functions in the body by secreting chemical products and aiding in vital digestive functions. Thus, it is the most important and the largest gland of the human body.
The major function of the liver is to secrete a false digestive juice known as the bile. It does not contain any enzymes and hence it is referred to as the false digestive juice. The production of bile occurs in the liver but it is stored in the gallbladder. Bile aids in the digestion and emulsification of fats.
Another major role of the liver is to carry out carbohydrate metabolism via glycogenolysis (the breakdown of glycogen to glucose), gluconeogenesis (formation of glucose from amino acids and fats). Thus the liver is known as the metabolic factory of the human body.
It also produces plasma proteins that form the essential component of the blood. This includes the formation of albumin, prothrombin, fibrinogen, and gamma-globulins. These help in blood coagulation, maintaining osmotic pressure, and also play a role in the immune system of the body.
Many fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins - A, D, E, and K are stored in the liver.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Additional information:
The liver is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen below the diaphragm. It is a lobulated organ only found in vertebrates. During the developmental period, the liver develops from the foregut.

Note:- During the fetal stage, the liver functions as a hematopoietic organ, thus forming all the cellular components of the blood. The liver also has a very high regeneration ability thus it can be grown up to its full size within a few months. The most common disorder associated with the liver is the Liver Cirrhosis (fibrous deposition in the liver).