Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolism and toxin clearance, and what is its blood supply route?

• A. The liver; receives oxygenated blood via the hepatic artery and nutrient-rich blood from the portal vein.
• B. The kidney; receives blood via renal arteries and drains via renal veins.
• C. The spleen; receives blood via splenic artery and drains via splenic vein.
• D. The pancreas; receives blood via pancreaticoduodenal arteries.

Answer: (A)

Metabolism and toxin clearance are carried out most by the liver, which contains the enzymes and pathways for biotransformation and detoxification, as well as processing nutrients. The liver’s blood supply is dual: oxygenated blood reaches it through the hepatic artery to keep the tissue well supplied with oxygen, while nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs flows in via the portal vein for processing. After processing, blood exits through the hepatic veins into the inferior vena cava. Other organs have roles in filtration or digestion, but the liver is the central site for metabolism and detoxification and has this unique dual blood supply.