Histology of liver, gallbladder, and pancreas

Question 1

Function of the liver

Answer 1

• Carbohydrate, lipid, protein metabolism
• Absorbs glucose from GI tract and stores as glycogen (which can be broken down in glycogenolysis to release glucose)
• Consumes fatty acids from plasma
• Synthesizes amino acids
• Produces bile

Question 2

What organ produces circulating plasma proteins? what are a few examples of these proteins?

Answer 2

The liver

Examples include albumins, lipoprteins, prothrombin, and fibrinogen

Question 3

What type of vitamins are Vitamins A, D, E, and K?

What does the liver do to them?

Answer 3

these are lipid soluble vitamins

the liver stores and converts these vitamins

Question 4

What does the liver do to drugs and toxins?

Answer 4

The liver degrades drugs and toxins and converts them to soluble form for elimination by the kidneys (oxidation and conjugation)

Question 5

The liver removes damaged ______ cells from circulation

Answer 5

The liver removes damaged blood cells from circulation

these cells are also known as kupffer cells

Question 6

What is the function of rough ER in liver cells?

Answer 6

In liver cells, the rough ER synthesizes plasma proteins for release into the perisinusoidal space

Question 7

The enzymes in the smooth ER of liver cells take up potentially toxic compounds, _____, and _______ from the perisinusoidal space, process them and secrete them into the ______ _______.

Answer 7

The enzymes in the smooth ER of liver cells take up potentially toxic compounds, __bilirubin___, and ____bile acids___ from the perisinusoidal space, process them and secrete them into the __bile_ _canaliculi_.

Question 8

What is the purpose of glycogen granules in liver cells?

Answer 8

To uptake and store glycogen until glucose is needed

Question 9

What are hepatic stellate cells?

Answer 9

Hepatic stellate cells are located in the persinusoidal space and store vitamin A. These cells are able to pathologically differentiate into myofibroblasts

Question 10

Hepatic sinusoids have a ____ _____ epithelium

Answer 10

Hepatic sinusoids have a thin discontinuous epithelium

Question 11

Perisinusoidal space of Disse

Answer 11

The space between hepatocytes (H) and the basal surface of endothelial cells (En)

Question 12

What are bile canaliculi?

Answer 12

canals separated by hepatic sinusoids that drain into the canal of Hering

Question 13

How does lymph travel in the periportal space?

Answer 13

lymph travels in the same direction as bile

Question 14

What is the function of Bile?

Answer 14

Involved in absorption of fat and excretion of cholesterol, bilirubin, iron, and copper

Question 15

How much bile is absorbed by the gut and transported back to the liver?

Answer 15

90% of bile is absorbed by the gut and transported back to liver

Question 16

Function of the gallbladder

Answer 16

concentrates and stores bile

Question 17

What is the purpose of junctional complexes

Answer 17

Junctional complexes form a barrier between the lumen and the intercellular compartment

Question 18

The transport of Na+, Cl-, and HCO3- (bicarbonate) by simple columnar epithelium in the gallbladder create what type of gradient?

The creation of this gradient aids in what process?

Answer 18

Epithelial transport of Na+, Cl-, and HCO3- into intercellular compartment creates an osmotic gradient. This gradient causes the concentration of bile.

Question 19

The exocrine part of pancreas

Answer 19

the part of the pancreas that acts as as a exocrine gland include the acinar/serous glands that secrete enzymes that drain into an intercalated duct.

Question 20

The endocrine part of the pancreas

Answer 20

The endocrine gland of the pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon into the blood. Cells are usually located in a large group (islets of Langerhans)