Hepàtica

Hepàtica is the Catalan adjective meaning hepatic or pertaining to the liver. It is used in medical and scientific contexts to describe anatomy, function, and diseases related to the liver. The feminine form is hepàtica and the masculine form is hepàtic.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from Latin hepaticus, via French hépatique, aligning with the English word hepatic. It is commonly found in Catalan medical nomenclature in combinations such as malaltia hepàtica (hepatic disease) or funcions hepàtiques (hepatic functions).

Anatomy and function: The liver is a large gland located in the upper right abdomen. It carries out a wide range of essential processes, including metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; bile production for digestion; detoxification of drugs and toxins; synthesis of plasma proteins; and immune functions. In Catalan medical writing, hepàtica is used to describe anything related to these hepatic structures and activities.

Clinical relevance: Hepàtica is used to classify conditions such as hepatitis (liver inflammation), cirrosi hepàtica (liver cirrhosis), esteatosi hepàtica or esteatosi hepàtica (hepatic steatosis or fatty liver), and neoplàsies hepàtiques (hepatic tumors) like hepatocellular carcinoma. Assessing hepatic health involves liver function tests (enzymes, bilirubin), imaging studies (ultrasound, CT, MRI), and sometimes liver biopsy.

Diagnosis and treatment: Management depends on the condition and may include lifestyle changes, antiviral therapy for viral hepatitis, medications to control inflammation or complications, and surgical or interventional approaches for tumors or advanced liver disease. The term hepàtica remains a standard descriptor in Catalan clinical literature for liver-related topics.