Liver Structure and Function - Flash Card
Hepatobiliary system - refers to the liver, gall bladder & bile ductsÂ
liver comprises several lobesÂ
receives blood from the hepatic artery (25%) & the hepatic portal vein (75%)Â
blood from spleen and GI tract passes through liverÂ
largest internal organ (~1.5kg)Â
Tissue contains two major cell types: parenchymal and non-parenchymalÂ
parenchyma (aka hepatocytes): accounts for 80% of liver volume, 60% of cells
hepatocytes in outer areas of lobule are specialised for oxidative functions - well perfused - such as gluconeogenesis and cholesterol synthesis
cells in the inner zone are more important for glycolysis, lipogenesis and cytochrome P-450 based drug detoxificationÂ
cells in the inner areas are less well perfused and more susceptible to ischaemic injuryÂ
hepatic portal vein = poorly oxygenated, high in nutrientsÂ
hepatic artery = highly oxygenated, low nutrientsÂ
The non parenchymal cells of the liver include populations of cholangiocytes (epithelial cells), sinusoidal endothelial cells, stellate cells, Kupffer cells, and intrahepatic lymphocytes.
Functions including:Â
detoxification - particularly nitrogenous compounds, hormones & drugs
synthesisÂ
metabolismÂ
storage -Â glycogen, iron, copper, and fat soluble vitamins
breakdownÂ
bile productionÂ
CarbohydrateÂ
storage of glycogenÂ
main source of blood glucoseÂ
FatÂ
dietary fat processingÂ
lipoprotein synthesisÂ
ProteinÂ
major site of protein synthesis, especially plasma proteins e.g. albumen, coagulation factorsÂ
protein catabolism and urea productionÂ
