Copper metabolism (absorption site, biliary excretion, Wilson disease)
Core concept
- Copper absorbed in the duodenum/proximal small bowel, transported to the liver bound to albumin/histidine via the portal circulation
- Hepatocytes are central: incorporate copper into caeruloplasmin (secreted into blood, carries ~90% of plasma copper) or excrete excess copper into bile (the only significant excretion route)
- ATP7B transporter (hepatocyte) mediates both caeruloplasmin loading and biliary excretion -- the gene defective in Wilson disease
3 more sections, plus exam facts
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