Which is the largest gland in the human body?

Concept

A gland is an organ that produces and releases substances needed by the body. When glands are compared by size and mass, the liver is the largest gland in an adult human.

Application

The liver secretes bile, which helps in the digestion of fats. It also processes nutrients, stores glycogen, detoxifies harmful substances, and performs many metabolic functions. These features identify the liver as both a major organ and the body’s largest gland.

Contrast

• The pancreas has both digestive and hormonal functions, but it is much smaller than the liver.

• The adrenal glands are small paired endocrine glands located above the kidneys.

• The pituitary gland controls several endocrine glands, so it is often called the master gland; this title refers to regulatory importance, not size.

Therefore, the largest gland in the human body is the liver.