Liver overview

The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of your child’s abdominal cavity, beneath her diaphragm and on top of her stomach, right kidney and intestines.

• The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile, which helps to break down fats, preparing them for further digestion and absorption.
• The liver consists of two main lobes, both of which are made up of thousands of lobules. These lobules are connected to small ducts that connect with larger ducts to ultimately form the hepatic duct.
• All of the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood and breaks down the nutrients and drugs in the blood into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body.

Pioneering research

Boston Children's Hospital researchers are conducting clinical studies to better understand why children’s livers fail and how we can improve liver transplants. We’re constantly striving to translate our research into treatments that can help sick children.