Liver, Pancreas & Biliary Tract

Question 1

what are the portal tracts?

Answer 1

branches of portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct

Question 2

what are hepatocytes?

Answer 2

-principle cells in liver

Question 3

what are classic lobules?

Answer 3

area drained by 1 central hepatic venule

• artificial construct for understanding histological appearance of liver
• central vein surrounded by radiating cords of hepatocytes with portal ducts at corners

Question 4

describe the blood flow within the classic lobule

Answer 4

• portal tract
• through sinusoids (between cords of hepatocytes)
• central vein

Question 5

why are hepatocytes near the centre of the classic lobule relatively deprived of O2 and glucose?

Answer 5

hepatocytes near the edge of the lobule extract glucose and oxygen from the blood

Question 6

what is the acinus?

Answer 6

based around the blood supply rather than drainage

• artificial construct for understanding histological appearance of liver
• diamond shape with portal tracts on the ends of the short axis of the acinus and central veins at the corners of the long axis