Glands of Digestion: Liver

Question 1

What is the largest gland in the body with exocrine AND endocrine functions?

Answer 1

Liver

Question 2

What are the general functions of the liver?

Answer 2

Metabolism of lipids, carbs, proteins
Production of blood proteins, factors, non-essential vitamins
Detoxifies blood
Produces hepatic (primary) bile
Stores certain vitamins (ie. vitamin A, B12)

Question 3

What is an exocrine function of the liver?

Answer 3

Produces hepatic (primary) bile

Question 4

Why are hexagonal shaped lobules difficult to distinguish in humans?

Answer 4

Due to lack of CT between lobules

Question 5

What cell types are contained in the liver?

Answer 5

Hepatocytes
Kupffer cells (stellate macrophages)
Ito cells (hepatic stellate cells)
Pit cells
Hepatic progenitor cells

Question 6

What is the composition of hepatocytes?

Answer 6

Microvilliated cuboidal cells with lateral bile canaliculi between adjacent hepatocytes

Question 7

What are the functions of the hepatocytes?

Answer 7

ALL the general functions of the liver

Question 8

What allows hepatocytes to collect bile?

Answer 8

Their bile canaliculi

Question 9

Bile moves from the hepatocytes towards ___ in the portal triad?

Answer 9

Bile duct bronchi

Question 10

How are hepatocytes arranged?

Answer 10

In rows between hepatic sinusoids like spokes of a wheel

Question 11

What are Kupffer cells/stellate macrophages?

Answer 11

Resident macrophages that develop from monocytes

Question 12

What is the function of Kupffer cells?

Answer 12

Phagocytosis of debris and aged RBC; they act like an APC

Question 13

What are the functions of Ito cells/hepatic stellate cells?

Answer 13

Store lipids for immediate use
Store vitamin A
Produce collagen I, III, IV and growth factors

Question 14

What are pit cells?

Answer 14

NK cells

Question 15

What cell type is responsible for regenerative capabilities?

Answer 15

Hepatic progenitor cells

Question 16

What are the branches of the Portal triads?

Answer 16

Hepatic artery
Portal vein
Bile duct
Lymph vessels

Question 17

What are hepatic sinusoids?

Answer 17

Dilated, fenestrated thin walled vessels found between rows of hepatocytes

Question 18

What do hepatic sinusoids carry?

Answer 18

A mixture of venous (75%) and arterial blood (25%)

Question 19

What is the central vein?

Answer 19

Fenestrated thin walled vessel that collects blood from the hepatic sinusoids

Question 20

Blood flows from the Portal triad towards the___?

Answer 20

Central vein

Question 21

What other name refers to the space of Disse?

Answer 21

Perisinusoidal space

Question 22

Where is the space of Disse located?

Answer 22

Between hepatocytes and fenestrated hepatic sinusoids where blood can directly contact microvilliated surfaces of hepatocytes

Question 23

Why can the liver take over spleen function in about 24-48 hours?

Answer 23

Flow slows enough in the space of Disse so that cells can interact with the blood and its contents

Question 24

What is Glisson’s capsule made up of?

Answer 24

Dense irregular CT covered with serosa

Question 25

Is dense irregular CT the primary kind of CT present in the liver?

Answer 25

Yes, other CT is limited in the human liver