Largest gland in human body is?

Appeared in: MNS 2015

Explanation

The liver is the largest gland in the body, weighing approximately 1300-1600 grams in an adult.
It is a mixed gland, possessing both exocrine functions (secreting bile) and endocrine functions (releasing substances like glucose and plasma proteins into the blood).
The liver is also the largest solid internal organ, playing a critical role in metabolism, detoxification, and nutrient storage.

Option B: The adrenal glands are very small endocrine glands, each weighing only about 4-5 grams.
Option C: The spleen is an organ of the lymphatic system, not a gland. Its primary function is blood filtration and immunity.
Option D: The pancreas is a mixed gland, but it is significantly smaller and lighter (60-100 grams) than the liver.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy and physiology of human glands and organs as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse performs abdominal palpation to assess for hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), which can be a sign of various conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, or heart failure.
Monitoring Liver Function Tests (LFTs) is a key nursing responsibility for patients with suspected liver disease or those on hepatotoxic medications.
What if the question asked for the largest purely endocrine gland? The answer would be the thyroid gland (not listed as an option), emphasizing the need to differentiate between mixed-function and single-function glands.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question: 'Largest gland'. This requires recalling factual knowledge from anatomy.
Next, evaluate each option based on the definition of a gland (an organ that secretes substances).
Eliminate options that do not fit the criteria. The spleen is a lymphatic organ, not a gland, so it can be eliminated.
Compare the remaining options (Liver, Adrenal, Pancreas), which are all glands, based on their relative size.
Recall or deduce that the liver is substantially larger than both the pancreas and the small adrenal glands.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy BDChaurasia V2 10e Part 2 pp. 92-94, 84-86

Practise the full MNS 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.