Liver
The liver, the largest gland in the body, stores nutrients absorbed from the blood. This gland releases glucose and secretes plasma proteins into the blood (endocrine function). Additionally, the liver forms bile that is transported to the duodenum to aid lipid digestion (exocrine function). The liver also degrades drugs, hormones and toxins. Pig liver 40x
Liver lobules >
The lobule, the basic structure of the liver, is formed by anastomosing rows of hepatocytes and intervening sinusoids, which extend from the periphery of the lobule toward a central vein. Portal canals, located at the marginal angles around the perimeter of the lobule, contain branches of the hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct. This image of pig liver shows bands of connective tissue outlining lobules; these distinctions are not so obvious in the human.
- Connective tissue
The lobule, the basic structure of the liver, is formed by anastomosing rows of hepatocytes and intervening sinusoids, which extend from the periphery of the lobule toward a central vein. Portal canals, located at the marginal angles around the perimeter of the lobule, contain branches of the hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct. This image of pig liver shows bands of connective tissue outlining lobules; these distinctions are not so obvious in the human.
- Portal canals
The lobule, the basic structure of the liver, is formed by anastomosing rows of hepatocytes and intervening sinusoids, which extend from the periphery of the lobule toward a central vein. Portal canals, located at the marginal angles around the perimeter of the lobule, contain branches of the hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct. This image of pig liver shows bands of connective tissue outlining lobules; these distinctions are not so obvious in the human.
- Central veins
The lobule, the basic structure of the liver, is formed by anastomosing rows of hepatocytes and intervening sinusoids, which extend from the periphery of the lobule toward a central vein. Portal canals, located at the marginal angles around the perimeter of the lobule, contain branches of the hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct. This image of pig liver shows bands of connective tissue outlining lobules; these distinctions are not so obvious in the human.
- Hepatocytes
The lobule, the basic structure of the liver, is formed by anastomosing rows of hepatocytes and intervening sinusoids, which extend from the periphery of the lobule toward a central vein. Portal canals, located at the marginal angles around the perimeter of the lobule, contain branches of the hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct. This image of pig liver shows bands of connective tissue outlining lobules; these distinctions are not so obvious in the human.
- Sinusoids
The lobule, the basic structure of the liver, is formed by anastomosing rows of hepatocytes and intervening sinusoids, which extend from the periphery of the lobule toward a central vein. Portal canals, located at the marginal angles around the perimeter of the lobule, contain branches of the hepatic portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct. This image of pig liver shows bands of connective tissue outlining lobules; these distinctions are not so obvious in the human.
Image source >
Image taken of a slide in the University of Michigan collection.
