How does the hepatic buffer control system regulate blood flow?

The hepatic buffer control system plays a crucial role in regulating hepatic blood flow to ensure that the liver receives an adequate supply of blood, particularly in response to fluctuations in blood flow from the portal vein. When there is a decrease in blood flow through the portal vein—often due to low food intake or other physiological changes—the liver compensates by increasing blood flow from the hepatic artery. This mechanism helps maintain a stable and sufficient blood supply to the liver, allowing it to perform its essential functions such as metabolism, detoxification, and synthesis of proteins.

This response is vital for maintaining the health of liver tissue and ensuring that it can process and filter blood effectively, even when conditions change. The ability for the hepatic artery to increase blood flow in compensation for reduced portal blood flow exemplifies the dynamic regulation within the hepatic circulation, making answer choice C the correct choice within this context.