Final answer:
The liver is the largest gland in the human body, crucial for digestion, metabolism, and processing of nutrients, and it is protected by the ribs in the abdominal cavity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The liver is technically the largest gland in the human body and serves multiple essential functions. As an accessory digestive organ, it has a vital role in metabolism and regulation. Located inferior to the diaphragm in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity, the liver is protected by the ribs. Its importance is multifaceted as it is involved in the production of bile, necessary for the breakdown of fats during digestion, the processing of vitamins and fats, and the synthesis of plasma proteins. Weighing about three pounds in an adult, the liver's structure includes four lobes divided into numerous lobules, each containing millions of hepatic cells or hepatocytes. These cells are responsible for the diverse metabolic activities of the liver.