Where is AST found?

Study liver anatomy and function with our medical students test. Engage with detailed multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your test!

AST is found in several tissues, with particularly high concentrations in the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and brain. When these tissues are damaged, AST leaks into the bloodstream, which is why it’s measured as a marker of cellular injury. The set of tissues heart, liver, muscle, and brain best reflects the main sources of AST detected in the blood, making it the most accurate description of where AST is found. Other listed tissues do contain AST, but not at high levels, so they’re less representative sources for this enzyme in typical clinical contexts. Additionally, AST is present in smaller amounts in kidneys and red blood cells, but those aren’t the primary sources emphasized in most questions.