Pathology Of The Liver And Pancreas Flashcards
List the key functions of the liver
Protein synthesis - clotting factors and albumin
Metabolism - detoxification (e.g. ammonia)
Excretion and digestion - bilirubin and bile
Nutrition - regulation of fat and carbs
Describe the normal level of oxygen of the liver.
Poorly oxygenated
Describe the blood supply to the liver
75% from Portal vein (w/ nutrients)
25% from Hepatic artery (w/ oxygen)
Describe a liver lobule
2mm diameter
Hexagonal
Bounded by several portal tracts - portal vein, hepatic artery, bile duct
Describe the flow of blood in the liver
From branch of portal vein and branch of hepatic artery on periphery of lobule
Mix on way to central vein
Blood moves from outside of lobules into the centre
Describe the flow of bile in the liver lobule
Bile is produced in canaliculi
Flows in the opposite direction to blood in the bile ducts
What are the three hepatic zones?
- Periportal (centroacinar)
- AROUND THE OUTSIDE - Midzonal
- middle - Centrilobular (periacinar)
- IN THE MIDDLE
What hepatic zone is where most injuries occur?
Centrilobular (periacinar)
Which zone is most poorly oxygenated and is most affected by ischaemia?
Centrilobular
Which zone has the highest P450 cytochromes?
Centrilobular
Describe the histology of the portal vein.
Big, thin walled
Describe the histology of the hepatic artery
Smaller, thicker wall
Describe the epithelial lining of the bile duct
Tall, cuboidal columnar epithelium
Describe the shunt observed in a congenital PSS.
Usually single
To vena cava, azygous vein, renal vein
Describe the shunt observed in an acquired PSS.
multiple thin-walled shunts
How can an acquired shunt occur?
Secondary to fibrosis in older animals
How can a PSS affect the liver?
Causes atrophy
What other effect can a PSS have?
HE
Ammonia - neurotoxic
What congenital/developmental disorders can affect the liver?
Congenital cysts Displacements Tension lipidosis Capsular fibrosis - fibrous tags (e.g. equine liver capsule) Telangiectasis - focal sinusoidal Melanosis
INCIDENTAL LESIONS
Define telangiectasis
Dilation of the capillaries causing them to appear as small red or purple clusters, often spidery in appearance
Seen on the skin or the surface of an organ
How can you tell if a liver is enlarged?
Rounded edges
Cutting through might tell you why e.g. if congested
What can cause a vacuolar hepatopathy?
Anything with swelling and vacuolation of the hepatocytes.
Water- hydropic, Fat - lipidosis, glycogen - glycogenosis
Describe the typical distribution seen with a vacuolar hepatopathy
Usually zonal or diffuse
Describe the features of hydropic change.
Common
Non specific
Reversible
What can cause vacuolar hepatopathy?
Hypoxia
mild toxic damage
Metabolic stress
What can cause glycogenosis?
Hyperadrenocorticism
Steroids
What dietary factors can result in lipidosis?
Obesity
Starvation
What physiological factors can cause lipidosis?
Increased energy demand e.g. lactation and pregnancy
What diseases can cause hepatic lipidosis?
Diabetes mellitus
Ketosis
Pregnancy toxaemia
How can abnormal hepatocyte function result in lipidosis?
Decreased FA complexing
Decreases LDLs
Describe the appearance of a liver with amyloidosis
Pale orange
Friable
Describe the histology of a liver with amyloidosis
Homogenous acidophilus material
Special stain - Congo red - fluorescence (green birefringence)
What animals are predisposed to hepatic amyloidosis?
Abyssinian/ oriental cats
What can cause amyloidosis?
Primary or secondary liver disease
Endocrinopathy
What can cause centrilobular necrosis?
Ischaemia/anaemia
Metabolic/toxic damage
What would a zonal necrosis pattern suggest?
Ischaemia,
Toxic damage
What would a random pattern of necrosis suggest?
Viral/ bacterial
What does a focally extensive pattern of necrosis indicate?
Bacterial cause
What does massive necrosis indicate?
Severe injury/ toxicity
E.g. hepatosis dietetics
What is hepatosis dietetica?
What species does it typically affect?
Selenium/vitamin E deficiency
Presentation: sudden death
PM - large areas of hepatic necrosis and haemorrhage
- gall bladder oedematous
PIGS - young - 3/4 months
What does ascites indicate about oncotic pressure?
REDUCED
When is cirrhosis seen?
End stage liver disease