The large intestine is divided into the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal. The appendix is attached to the inferior medial margin of the cecum. The colon consists of ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid portions. The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes. The liver, the largest internal organ, is composed of functional units called lobules.
Liver lobules consists of plates of hepatic cells separated by capillary sinusoids.
The liver detoxifies the blood by excreting substances in the bile, by phagocytosis, and by chemical inactivation. The liver modifies the plasma concentrations of proteins, glucose, triglycerides, and ketone bodies. The gallbladder stores and concentrates the bile. It releases bile through the cystic duct and common bile duct to the duodenum. The pancreas is both an exocrine and endocrine gland.