A liver transplant is a surgical procedure that removes a liver that no longer functions
properly (liver failure) and replaces it with a healthy liver from a living or deceased donor.
Your liver is your largest internal organ and performs several critical functions, including:
- Removing bacteria and toxins from the blood
- Preventing infection and regulating immune responses
- Processing nutrients, medications and hormones
- Producing bile, which helps the body absorb fats, cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins
- Making proteins that help the blood clot
Hepatology is the branch of medicine that incorporates the study of liver, gallbladder, biliary
tree, and pancreas as well as management of their disorders. Although traditionally
considered a sub-specialty of gastroenterology, rapid expansion has led in some countries to
doctors specializing solely on this area, who are called hepatologists.
