The Curious Clinicians 76 - Radical Regeneration
Sep 6, 2023
Learn about the liver's incredible regenerative ability after injury or resection. From ancient mythology to modern medicine, explore the concept of liver regeneration. Discover the two types of liver regeneration: resection and cellular injury. Uncover the triggers and mechanisms of liver regeneration including hemodynamic changes, the immune response, and platelets. Delve into the signals that control liver regeneration, including growth factors and our body's mechanisms.
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Liver Regeneration: A Biological Superpower
- The liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate, acting as an unsung hero in the body.
- It can withstand and recover from two distinct types of injuries: resection and cellular damage.
Liver's Unique Regenerative Ability
- Regeneration, the ability to regrow tissue, is common in some body parts like skin and intestines.
- However, among internal organs, the liver's regenerative capacity is unique and far superior.
Prometheus' Liver: Ancient Knowledge?
- The ancient Greek myth of Prometheus, whose liver regenerated daily after being eaten by an eagle, might reflect early knowledge of this ability.
- Some scholars debate whether it represents true anatomical knowledge or symbolic meaning related to the soul.