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Why is the liver so weirdly regenerative?

576 points · 293 comments · jbotz

  1. vconnor · · focus · HN ↗
    The punishment for Prometheus stealing fire from the Gods and gifting it to humanity, was to be chained to a rock and having an eagle feed on his liver which would regrow the next day.
    1. bheadmaster · · focus · HN ↗
      For what it's worth, Prometheus was a Titan, and Titan was immortal, so his liver regrowing the next day wasn't really that special. If eagle fed on his heart, or lungs, they would've regrown too.

      The Greeks chose liver because it symbolized the defiance Prometheus had against gods.

      1. mwigdahl · · focus · HN ↗
        I thought they chose it because it tastes great with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.
        1. 1-more · · focus · HN ↗
          But why were those accompaniments chosen for the liver? Because all three foods are high in tyramine, which is toxic if you're on an MAO Inhibitor. Why would Hannibal be on an MAOI? I have no idea, tbqh. They're for depression and Parkinson's, not antipsychotics.
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