Which of the following is the largest digestive gland in humans?

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Jaipur-6th June 2018

Explanation

The liver is the largest gland and the second-largest organ (after the skin) in the human body, weighing approximately 1300-1600 grams in adults.
It is a vital accessory organ of the digestive system, with its primary digestive function being the production of bile.
Bile emulsifies fats in the small intestine, a critical step for the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

Option A: The spleen is an organ of the lymphatic system, not the digestive system. Its main roles are filtering blood and supporting immune function.
Option C: While the pancreas is a crucial digestive gland that produces enzymes, it is significantly smaller than the liver, weighing only about 80-90 grams.
Option D: This is a digestive organ found in invertebrates like crustaceans and molluscs, not in humans. It performs functions analogous to the liver and pancreas.

Visual 1: Diagram - An anatomical illustration of the upper abdomen showing the relative size and position of the liver, pancreas, and spleen to provide a clear visual comparison.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of the largest digestive gland in the human body as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses frequently monitor liver function tests (LFTs), such as ALT, AST, and bilirubin, to assess for liver damage or disease like hepatitis or cirrhosis.
Key signs of liver dysfunction that require prompt nursing assessment include jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), and coagulopathy (impaired blood clotting).
What if? If the question asked for the gland with major exocrine and endocrine functions, the Pancreas would be the more appropriate answer.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'largest' and 'digestive gland'.
Second, evaluate each option against these two criteria.
Spleen: Is it a digestive gland? No, it's a lymphoid organ. Eliminate this option.
Liver: Is it a digestive gland? Yes. Is it the largest? Yes. This is a strong candidate.
Pancreas: Is it a digestive gland? Yes. Is it larger than the liver? No. Eliminate this option.
Hepato-pancreas: Is it found in humans? No. Eliminate this option.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of the largest digestive gland in the human body.
Stem keywords: largest digestive gland, humans
Lead-in keywords: Which

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Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Jaipur-6th June 2018

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