Question

Which of the following is the largest gland in an adult man?

• A. Thymus
• B. Liver
• C. Thyroid
• D. Pancreas

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Liver

Answer 2

Liver is endodermal in origin and is the largest gland in human body. It is the busiest and largest chemical factory in the body.
Liver cells secrete bile directly into bile capillaries, which is used in the emulsification and absorption of fats. Besides, it also functions in manufacture of anticoagulant heparin, plasma protein like albumin, fibrinogen and prothrombin and in deamination of proteins.
Thyroid gland (measures $3.7\, cm$ in length and $25\, gm$ in weight in adults) a median endocrine gland located below larynx is the largest endocrine gland in the body. Thyroxine $\left(T_{4}\right)$, produced by thyroid gland, function mainly in controlling metabolism, ie, basal metabolic rate of the body.
Pancreas is a mixed gland (heterocrine gland) with both exocrine and endocrine portions. The average length of pancreas is $12-15 cm$ and weight is $50-70\, gm$. Insulin, glucagon, somatostatin are the hormones secreted by different cells of endocrine portion of pancreas.
Thymus gland (at birth weights $10-12\, gm$, at puberty $20-30\, gm$ and at old age it weighs 3-6 $gm$ ) is mainly concerned with immunological functions but becomes inconspicuous after puberty.