Which of the following are roles of the liver in coagulation?

• A. Produces thrombopoietin and clotting factors, and removes old platelets
• B. Produces insulin and glucagon
• C. Stores bile
• D. Filters glucose

Answer: (A)

The liver is the main source of coagulation proteins and of a hormone that drives platelet production, making it central to coagulation. It synthesizes most of the clotting factors that circulate in the blood, providing the essential components for the coagulation cascade to form a stable clot. It also produces thrombopoietin, which signals the bone marrow to make more platelets. In addition, the liver can participate in clearing aging or dysfunctional platelets, helping regulate platelet numbers. This combination directly ties the liver to both clot formation and platelet supply, which is why this option best fits the question.

Insulin and glucagon come from the pancreas, not the liver. Bile is produced by the liver but is stored mainly in the gallbladder, not stored in the liver. While the liver metabolizes glucose, describing its role as “filters glucose” isn’t a standard way to capture its involvement in coagulation.