Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease Website Course

Evaluating Liver Test Abnormalities

Understanding the Pathophysiology of Liver Disease

for Health Care Providers

Normal Liver Key Point

In evaluating liver diseases, it is useful to think of the liver as being composed of 2 morphological/functional subunits: the hepatic parenchyma and the biliary tree. Injury to each subunit gives rise to a specific pattern of liver test abnormalities. In other words, the pattern of liver test abnormalities can help determine which 'unit(s)' of the liver is injured. Clinicians can then narrow down the list of possible diagnoses, and tailor subsequent investigations accordingly.