The liver is an organ in the upper right-hand part of your abdomen. It sits under the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney and intestines. The liver has more than 500 vital functions. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. The liver processes this blood. It breaks down, balances, and creates nutrients. It also processes medicines and other chemicals. 

When the liver isn't functioning properly, you may exhibit the following symptoms:

Chronic liver disease, known as cirrhosis, is commonly caused by:

• Hepatitis and other viruses

• Long-term alcohol abuse

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

If you exhibit symptoms, your provider may order a liver biopsy, liver function tests, an ultrasound, a CT scan or MRI, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP), or an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).