Gastroenterology Consultants,SC: Diseases of the GI tract CIRRHOSIS [<<back | list all>>] The liver is a large organ that sits in the right upper abdomen, just under the right lung. The liver makes proteins, eliminates waste material from the body, produces cholesterol, stores and releases glucose energy and metabolizes many drugs used in medicine. Many types of chronic injury and heavy alcohol intake to the liver can result in scar tissue. This scarring distorts the normal structure and regrowth of liver cells. The flow of blood through the liver from the intestine is blocked and the work done by the liver, such as processing drugs or producing proteins, is hindered.