Liver Structure and Function Flashcards
Where is the liver located?
Upper Right Quadrant
What are the two major lobes of the liver?
Right and Left
What are the two minor lobes of the liver?
Caudate and Quadrate
Which ducts join to form the common bile duct?
Cystic Duct and Common Hepatic Duct
What structures make up the portal triad?
Hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and hepatic duct
What are the functions of hepatocytes?
Bile Synthesis
Nutrient Storage
Nutrient Interconversion
Detoxification
What are the components of bile?
Bile Acids Lecithin Cholesterol Bile Pigments Toxic Metals Bicarbonate
What is the origin and function of bile acids and lecithin?
Synthesised in the liver and solubilise fat
Where are the components of bile secreted from?
From the hepatocytes (except from bicarbonate which is secreted by duct cells)
What are bile pigments?
Breakdown products of haemoglobin from old/damaged erythrocytes
What chemical gives bile its yellow colour?
Bilirubin
What colour is bilirubin when it is broken down by bacterial enzymes?
Brown
What is bile acid produced from?
Cholesterol (0.5g/day)
Where is the gallbladder located?
The inferior surface of the liver
What are the three layers of the gallbladder wall?
Mucosa - with rugae for expansion
Muscularis - smooth muscle
Serosis - connective tissue
