Liver Flashcards
What is the blood supply to the hepatocytes of the liver?
Dual blood supply:
Hepatic artery 20%
Hepatic portal vein 80%
Describe the structure of the liver
- organised into lobules: each contain a hepatic portal triad at each of the 6 corners
- made up of hepatocytes which have a dual blood supply from the heptaic portal vein + hepatic artery
- venous + arterial blood mix in the hepatic sinusoids
- bile canaliculli carry bile + merge to form bile ducts
What is the hepatic triad made of?
Hepatic portal vein
Hepatic artery
Bile duct
Difference between hepatic portal vein + hepatic vein
- hepatic portal vein brings blood TO the liver
- hepatic vein takes blood AWAY FROM the liver
What is the functional unit of the liver?
Acinus
Describe the acinus of the liver
- diamond shape of adjoining liver lobules
- contains three zones: zone 1 is closest to portal triad | zone 3 closest to central vein
- toxins effect zone 1 most
- ischemic damage effects zone 3 most
What part of the liver acinus do toxins effect the most?
Zone 1
What part of the liver acinus does ischemic damage effect the most?
Zone 3
What are the two components of bile?
Bile acid dependant
Bile acid independent
Outline the bile acid dependant component of bile
- secreted into canaliculi by hepatocytes
- contains bile acids + pigments
Outline the bile acid independent component of bile
- secreted by duct cells
- alkaline solution (like pancreatic duct cells)
- stimulated by secretin
Function of bile acids
Important in digesting fats
What are the 2 primary bile acids?
Cholic acid
Chenodeoxychloic acid
Function of bile salts
Helps solubilise fats
Facilitate fat digestion - form micelles
What are bile salts?
Bile acids which are conjugated with amino acids e.g. glycine + turbine