Liver Structure and Function Flashcards
What is the largest organ in the body?
The liver which weights about 1.4kg
Where is the liver located within the abdomen?
Upper right quadrant of abdomen (tucked against inferior surface of diaphragm)
How many lobes does the liver contain?
4
What are the 4 lobes of the liver?
Left lobe
Right lobe
Caudate lobe
Quadrate lobe
On what surface is the portal of the liver?
Posterior
Whats enters and exits the liver through the porta?
Blood vessels (hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery)
Lymphatic vessels
Ducts (right/left hepatic ducts forming common hepatic duct)
Nerves (hepatic nerve plexus)
Explain the anastomosis of the common hepatic duct to reach the spincter of Oddi?
Common hepatic duct joined by cystic duct to form common bile duct
Common bile duct joined by pancreatic duct to form major duodenal papilla
What does the coronary ligament attach the liver to?
Inferior surface of diaphragm
What is the liver covered by?
Connective tissue capsule and visceral peritoneum (except for bare area)
Where is the bare area of the liver?
Diaphragmatic surface surrounded by coronary ligament
What does the connective tissue surrounding the liver become at the porta?
Branching network of septa into the body of the liver to give support
What doe vessels, ducts and nerves follow throughout the liver?
Septa
What does the septa divide the liver into?
Hexagonal lobules
What forms the portal triad?
Hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and hepatic duct
Where are portal triads found?
At each corner of hexagonal lobule (also with nerves and lymph vessels)
What is at the centre of each lobule?
Central veins
What do central veins of lobules go onto become?
Hepatic veins then inferior vena cava
Explain the surroundings of central veins of lobules?
Hepatic cords radiate out of central veins
Cords composed of hepatocytes
Bile canaliculus lies between cells and within each cord
Spaces between hepatic cords are called hepatic sinusoids
What are hepatic cords that radiate from central vein composed of?
Hepatocytes
What are spaces between hepatic cords called?
Hepatic sinusoids
What are hepatic sinusoids?
Blood channels
What is the direction of blood and bile from the central vein of lobules?
Blood travels towards the central vein
Bile travels away from the central vein
What kind of blood is made once the hepatic artery and hepatic portal vein mix together?
Blood high with oxygen and nutrient content
Why is glucose stored in the liver as glycogen?
Glucose would be a problem osmotically