Anatomy Practice Exam 2026 - Free Anatomy Practice Questions and Study Guide

The liver is the principal organ responsible for detoxification in the body. It plays a critical role in filtering and metabolizing various substances that enter the body, including drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins. The liver's unique structure allows it to receive blood directly from the digestive tract through the portal vein, enabling it to process nutrients and neutralize harmful substances efficiently.

Additionally, the liver produces bile, which aids in the digestion and absorption of fats, and it converts ammonia, a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism, into urea for excretion through the kidneys. This multifunctional capability positions the liver as a central player in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and ensuring that toxins are rendered harmless before they can affect other organs or systems.

While the kidneys also contribute to detoxification by filtering blood to remove waste products and excess substances through urine, their primary function is more about excretion rather than the comprehensive detoxification and biochemical processing that the liver performs. The heart and pancreas do not have significant roles in detoxification. The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, while the pancreas mainly focuses on digestion and blood glucose regulation.