M18: Liver and Gallbladder

Question 1

liver functions

Answer 1

1. Bile production
2. Storage (CHO, fats, fat soluble vitamins, B12 and minerals)
3. Detoxification (drugs etc)
4. Phagocytosis (via kuppfer cells)
5. Activates vitamin D
6. Metabolism of CHO, fats and pr-

Question 2

function of bile

Answer 2

• increase pH of contents in small intestine
• BILE SALTS emulsify and aid in fat absorption
• excretion of bilirubin

Question 2

structure of liver

Answer 2

• 2 lobes (R lobe larger)
• FALCIFORM LIGAMENT (layer of peritoneum that connects liver to ant. ab wall)
• ROUND LIGAMENT (was the umbilical vein)
• CORONARY LIGAMENT: extension of falciform that connects liver to diaphragm
  DUCTS
• R and L hepatic ducts merge to form COMMON HEPATIC DUCT
• merges with CYSTIC DUCTS (gallbladder) to form COMMON BILE DUCT
• goes to hepatopancreatic ampulla

Question 3

major duodenal papilla

Answer 3

ridge in small intestine where hematopancreatic ampulla opens

Question 4

structure function of gallbladder

Answer 4

STRUCTURE
- 3 main regions: fundus (round top), body, neck
- CYSTIC DUCT connects to common hepatic duct
- simple columnar epithelium (rugae)
- no submucosa
- layer of smooth muscle with fibres in all directions
- serosa/visceral peritoneum

FUNCTION
- stores and concentrates bile (absorbs water and ions into mucosa)
- when sphincter from hepatopancreatic ampulla closes, bile backs up to gallbladder

Question 5

main components of bile

Answer 5

• water
• cholesterol
• BILE SALTS (emulsification and lipid absorption)
• BILIRUBIN (pigment) - forms STERCOBILIN that gives feces brown colour

Question 6

specialized cells in liver called

Answer 6

hepatocytes

Question 7

portal triad

Answer 7

• vessels/ducts located at vertices of hexagonal hepatocyte formations
• 3 vessels surrounded by CT to hold in place
  1. BILE DUCT to collect bile from hepatocytes, merge to form L/R hepatic ducts
  2. BRANCH OF HEPATIC ARTERY
  3. BRANCH OF HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN

Question 8

central vein

Answer 8

located at centre of hepatocyte formation, join with others to form hepatic portal vein

Question 9

structure of hepatocyte formatiom

Answer 9

• hexagon
• HEPATIC LAMINAE: layers of hepatic cells
• HEPATIC SINUSOID: vascular spaces where gas/nutrient exchange occur in liver. Every hepatocyte connected to one.
• PORTAL TRIAD: hepatic duct, branch of hepatic vein, branch of hepatic artery
• BILE CANALICULI: ducts that come in contact with every hepatocyte, take bile away
• KUPFFER CELLS: digest anything that shouldn’t be there (foreign material)

Question 10

kupffer cells are also called…

Answer 10

stellate reticuloendothelial cells

Question 11

where does hepatic vein drain into?

Answer 11

inferior vena cava

Question 12

pigment component of bile

Answer 12

BILIRUBIN

Question 13

liver metabolic functions

Answer 13

1. CHO metabolism: maintains blood glucose levels
   - glycogen storage/glucose release
   - GLUCONEOGENESIS: waste products into glucose
   - fructose and galactose into glucose
2. LIPID METABOLISM
   - store triglycerides, release fatty acids
   - synthesis of liproproteins (HDL/LDL) and cholesterol
3. Pr- and metabolism
   - DEAMINATION: removes NH2 (amino group) from amino acids so can use what’s left as energy
   - converts resulting ammonia into urea via kidney
   - produces plasma pr- for blood

Question 14

bile cannaliculi

Answer 14

ducts that come in contact with every hepatocyte, take bile away

Question 15

gluconeogenesis

Answer 15

creation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources or waste products of metabolism