The liver is the largest organ in the human body. In an adult, it weighs approximately 1000-1500 grams, depending on weight. It's vital for producing proteins necessary for life, processing nutrients absorbed from food to generate energy, producing and releasing bile essential for the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, synthesizing clotting factors crucial for blood coagulation, storing certain minerals, vitamins, and sugars to prevent deficiencies, combating infections by helping eliminate circulating bacteria, and detoxifying virtually all harmful chemicals entering the body.

Liver failure is a condition arising from irreversible damage to a significant portion of the liver, resulting in its inability to perform its necessary functions adequately. Liver failure is generally life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention. A common scenario is the gradual deterioration of a diseased liver over years, leading to insufficiency; this is termed "chronic liver failure." Less frequently, liver failure can develop within days or weeks in individuals with no prior known liver disease; this is known as "acute liver failure." Therefore, individuals of any age can develop liver disease or experience liver failure.