Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

Which organ is primarily responsible for detoxification in the body?

1. Kidney

2. Liver

3. Pancreas

4. Spleen

The correct answer is: Liver

The liver is primarily responsible for detoxification in the body. It plays a crucial role in metabolizing substances, breaking down drugs and toxic compounds into less harmful metabolites, and transforming them into forms that can be easily excreted by the kidneys or bile. The liver contains specialized cells called hepatocytes that carry out these detoxification processes, ensuring that harmful substances are removed from circulation. While the kidneys also play an essential role in filtering blood and excreting waste products through urine, their primary function is not detoxification but rather the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance. The pancreas is mainly involved in digestion and the regulation of blood sugar levels through insulin production, while the spleen is associated with immune responses and the removal of old or damaged blood cells. Thus, the liver distinctly leads the way in the detoxification process within the human body.