Liver Flashcards
What are the characteristics of Hepatocytes?
Large polygonal cells that are packed closely to form anastomosing plates of cells(hepatic cords) that are radially arranged around the central vein.
They may have a single, two or many nuclei.
What are hepatic sinusoids?
The space between the hepatic cords is called hepatic sinusoids.
What are the histological features of a hepatocyte?
Numerous mitochondria and, everything is abundant.
They have glycogen granules and fat droplets
What are the surfaces of a hepatocyte?
Canalicular surface
Intercellular surface
Sinusoidal surface
What is the sinusoidal surface?
It takes up to 70% of the cell surface
It has microvilli
It has contact with the sinusoid
What is the intercellular surface?
The surface where the neighbouring hepatocytes are joined. Covers only 15% of the surface.
Connected to each other by gap junctions
What is the canalicular surface?
This surface faces the bile canaliculus. It takes up 15% of the cell surface.
What is the perisinusoidal space?
The perisinusoidal space (or space of Disse) is a location in the liver between hepatocyte and a sinusoid. It contains the blood plasma. Microvilli of hepatocytes extend into this space, allowing proteins and other plasma components from the sinusoids to be absorbed by the hepatocytes.
What are hepatic stellate cells?
These cells are star-shaped cells that store vitamin A as retinyl esters as lipid droplets. If there is a chronic liver disease, the cells lose their vitamin A and turn into fibroblast-like cells that produce collagen.
What are the cholangiocytes?
These cells line the tubular passage of the biliary tree except bile canaliculi. As the ducts get larger they become from cuboidal to columnar and they also have microvilli with a primary cilium.
What is the function of cholangiocytes?
They secrete HCO3- and Cl- ions in the bile and absorb glucose, amino acids, and bile acids from the bile.
Name the ducts of the liver.
Bile canaliculi>Canal of Hering>Bile Ductule>Interlobular duct>Right and Left Hepatic Duct. (Intrahepatic ducts)
The right and left hepatic ducts join to form common hepatic duct which joins with the cystic duct to form bile duct. (Extrahepatic ducts)
What are Kupffer cells?
The functions of these cells include phagocytosis of large particles, secretion of immune-regulatory mediators. They also break down RBCs if splenectomy has been done.
