GI PBL 2 Flashcards
Where is the liver?
It lies inferiorly to the diaphragm, mainly to the right side and does not usually extend below the costal margin
What are the functions of the liver?
- Production of bile, urea, heparin, vitamin A, plasma proteins and antibodies
- The metabolism of fats amino acids, sugars and toxins
- Storage of fats, vitamins A, D and B12, iron and glycogen
- The activation of vitamin D
What are the lobes of the liver?
Right, left, quadrate and caudate lobes
How are the caudate and quadrate lobes separated?
deep transverse fissure (porta hepatis)
What lies within the porta hepatis?
All the vessels, nerves and ducts entering and leaving the liver with the exception of the hepatic veins
What covers the liver?
A fibrous membrane called the Glisson’s capsule and partially by the peritoneum
What ligaments are attached to the liver?
- coronary ligaments
- falciform ligament
- round ligament
- triangular ligaments
- lesser omentum
What are the coronary ligaments?
They surround the area of the liver that is devoid of peritoneum, which is in contact with the diaphragm
What is the falciform ligament
Runs across the front of the liver attaching it to the anterior abdominal wall
What is the round ligament?
An embryological remnant that runs along the falciform ligament from the porta hepatis to the umbilicus
What are the triangular ligaments?
- left - attaches the left lobe of the liver to the diaphragm
- Right – attaches the right lobe of the liver to the diaphragm
What is the lesser omentum?
Attaches the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach and first part of the duodenum
What are the hepatic recesses?
- subphrenic spaces
- subhepatic space
- morison’s pouch
what are the subphrenic spaces?
Located between the diaphragm and the anterior and superior aspects of the liver. They are divided into left and right by the falciform ligament
What is the subhepatic space?
A subdivision of the supracolic compartment (above the transverse mesocolon), this peritoneal space is located between the inferior surface of the liver and transverse colon
What is morison’s pouch?
a potential space between the visceral surface of the liver and the right kidney. This is the deepest part of the peritoneal cavity when supine therefore pathological abdominal fluid such as blood or ascites is most likely to collect in this region in a bed ridden patient
What type of cells make up the liver?
Hepatocytes, bile canaliculi and hepatic sinusoids
What is the function of hepatocytes?
Hepatocytes are multi-functional, they take up amino acids, glucose, and vitamins for metabolism or storage, detoxify blood through the catabolism of hormones, toxins, and drugs, and synthesize bile
What are bile canaliculi?
ducts that collect the bile
What are hepatic sinusoids?
supply the liver with oxygenated and nutrient rich blood
What are hepatocytes?
Cuboidal epithelial cells with 5-12 sides and surfaces lined with microvilli. They are densely packed and segmented into hepatic laminae only one cell thick by vascular spaces called sinusoids
What are bile canaliculi?
Channels located between the hepatocytes
Which direction does the bile flow?
the opposite direction to the blood
what are the hepatic sinusoids?
Capillaries with large fenestrations
What cells do hepatic sinusoids contain?
Kupffer cells
What is the function of Kupffer cells in the hepatic sinusoids?
Macrophages that remove waste from blood
