5.2.2 The Mammalian Liver: Structure

Question 1

External Structure of Liver

Answer 1

• Hepatic artery - Oxygenated blood from heart
• Hepatic portal vein - Deoxygenated blood from digestive system, containing nutrients from digestive system
• Hepatic vein - Deoxygenated blood to heart
• Directly connected to gall bladder, where bile is secreted into duodenum to neutralise low pH and to help digest fats (bile salts) via bile duct

Question 2

Internal Structure of Liver

Answer 2

• Many lobules
• Branches of hepatic artery and hepatic portal vein supply each lobule with blood, and hepatic vein transports blood away from liver
• Blood transported in wide capillaries called sinusoids
• Lined with endothelial cells
• Hepatocytes have large SA in contact with blood to maximise exchange of substances