Liver Structure and Function

Question 1

Describe the size of the liver in relation to other organs of the body

Answer 1

The liver is the largest organ

Question 2

Approx. how heavy is the liver?

Answer 2

1.4kg/3lbs

Question 3

What quadrant is the liver located in?

Answer 3

Upper right quadrant

Question 4

Where is the liver located in relation to the abdominal-diaphragm?

Answer 4

Tucked against the inferior surface

Question 5

Describe the lobular structure of the liver

Answer 5

Major lobes - Right (largest) and left

Minor lobes - Caudate and Quadrate

Question 6

How do blood and lymph vessels, ducts and nerves enter/exit the liver?

Answer 6

From Porta on the inferior surface

Question 7

What two ducts join to form the common bile duct?

Answer 7

Common hepatic duct and cystic duct

Question 8

Describe the covering of the liver

Answer 8

Connective tissue capsule and visceral peritoneum except for bare area (surrounded by coronary ligament on diaphragmatic surface)

Question 9

What connect tissue lies around the ports?

Answer 9

Capsule across branching network of septa into the body for support

Question 10

What follow the septa throughout the liver?

Answer 10

Vessels, duct and nerves

Question 11

Outline the divisions of the septa

Answer 11

Divide into hexagonal lobules

Question 12

What vessels re located in each lobule in the form of a tirad?

Answer 12

HPV, HA, HD (also lymph and nerves)

Question 13

What structure is located at the centre of each lobule?

Answer 13

Central veins

Question 14

What vessel does the hepatic vein flow into?

Answer 14

IVC

Question 15

What structures radiate out of central veins like spokes of a wheel?

Answer 15

Hepatic cords

Question 16

What are hepatic cords formed from?

Answer 16

Hepatocytes (functional cells of the liver)

Question 17

What canalised structure lies between cells in the hepatic cord?

Answer 17

Bile canaliculi

Question 18

What are the spaces between hepatic cords called?

Answer 18

Sinusoids (blood channels)

Question 19

What are the six components of bile?

Answer 19

1. Bile acids
2. Lecithin
3. Cholesterol
4. Bile pigments
5. Toxic metals
6. Bicarbonate

Question 20

What quantity of bile acids are produced daily?

Answer 20

0.5g/day

Question 21

What process occurs to bile acids before secretion into ducts?

Answer 21

Conjugation with glycerine/taurine to form bile salts

Question 22

How are bile salts recycled after secretion?

Answer 22

Via the enterohepatic circulation

Question 23

Outline the outcome of different bile pigments (bilirubin derivatives)

Answer 23

Yellow bile - bilirubin extracted by hepatocytes

Brown faeces - bilirubin modified by bacteria enzymes

Yellow urine - reabsorbed bilirubin excreted in urine

Question 24

What is the role of bile salts, lecithin and cholesterol?

Answer 24

Solublise fats

Question 25

What are the average dimensions of the gallbladder?

Answer 25

8cmx4cm

Question 26

Where is the gallbladder located in relation o the liver?

Answer 26

On the inferior surface

Question 27

What three layers of the gallbladder all are there?

Answer 27

Mucosa
Musculris
Serosa

Question 28

Outline the appearance of the mucosa of the gallbladder

Answer 28

Folded into rugae for expansion

Question 29

Outline the appearance of the muscularis of the gallbladder

Answer 29

Smooth muscle for contraction

Question 30

Outline the appearance of the serosa of the gallbladder

Answer 30

Connective tissue

Question 31

What physical structure controls secretion of bile from the biliary apparatus?

Answer 31

Sphincter of Oddi (Hepatopancreatic ampulla)

Question 32

What happens when the Sphincter of Oddi contracts?

Answer 32

Bile is forced into the gallbladder for storage

Question 33

How does the gallbladder concentrate bile?

Answer 33

Reabsorption of Na+ and water

Question 34

To what degree can the gallbladder concentrate bile?

Answer 34

5-20 times

Question 35

What regulates the opening of the sphincter of Oddi?

Answer 35

Fat in the duodenum causes release of CCK