Anonymous
more than 4 weeks ago
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more than 4 weeks ago
The liver is a large, reddish-brown organ located in the upper right side of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. It is divided into two main lobes, the right lobe and the left lobe, which are further divided into smaller lobes and segments. The liver is made up of liver cells called hepatocytes, as well as other types of cells such as Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, and stellate cells.
The liver is surrounded by a fibrous capsule called Glisson's capsule, which helps protect and support the organ. Blood is supplied to the liver through two main blood vessels, the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart, while the portal vein carries nutrient-rich blood from the intestines.
Within the liver, blood flows through a network of small channels called sinusoids, where it comes into contact with hepatocytes and other liver cells. These cells perform a wide range of functions, including detoxifying harmful substances, producing bile to aid in digestion, storing nutrients such as glycogen and vitamins, and regulating blood sugar levels.
The liver also plays a crucial role in metabolism, synthesizing proteins, cholesterol, and other important molecules. It is a vital organ for maintaining overall health and well-being, and plays a key role in the body's immune system and detoxification processes.
The liver is surrounded by a fibrous capsule called Glisson's capsule, which helps protect and support the organ. Blood is supplied to the liver through two main blood vessels, the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart, while the portal vein carries nutrient-rich blood from the intestines.
Within the liver, blood flows through a network of small channels called sinusoids, where it comes into contact with hepatocytes and other liver cells. These cells perform a wide range of functions, including detoxifying harmful substances, producing bile to aid in digestion, storing nutrients such as glycogen and vitamins, and regulating blood sugar levels.
The liver also plays a crucial role in metabolism, synthesizing proteins, cholesterol, and other important molecules. It is a vital organ for maintaining overall health and well-being, and plays a key role in the body's immune system and detoxification processes.
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Google Gemini AI
more than 4 weeks ago
General Structure:
- Parenchyma: The functional tissue of the liver, consisting of hepatocytes (liver cells).
- Stroma: The supportive framework, including connective tissue, blood vessels, bile ducts, and lymphatics.
Microscopic Structure:
Hepatocytes:
- Polygonal cells with a central nucleus and abundant cytoplasm.
- Each hepatocyte has multiple faces with microvilli that protrude into sinusoids.
Sinusoids:
- Modified capillaries that line the liver parenchyma.
- They have fenestrated endothelium with gaps called "fenestrae" that allow for exchange of substances between blood and hepatocytes.
Kupffer Cells:
- Specialized macrophages located within the sinusoids that filter blood and remove bacteria and debris.
Bile Canals:
- Small channels formed by the apposition of hepatocyte microvilli.
- They collect bile produced by hepatocytes and transport it to larger bile ducts.
Larger Bile Ducts:
- Gradually increase in size from bile canaliculi to the common hepatic duct, which drains bile from the liver.
Portal Tracts:
- Triads of structures located at the periphery of lobules.
- They contain:
- Hepatic artery (providing oxygenated blood)
- Hepatic portal vein (carrying nutrients from the intestine)
- Bile duct
Lobules:
- Structural units of the liver parenchyma.
- They are hexagonal in shape and consist of:
- Central vein: A small vein that collects blood from the sinusoids.
- Hepatocyte plates: Radiating cords of hepatocytes that surround the central vein.
- Sinusoids: Between the hepatocyte plates.
Glissons Capsule:
- A thin layer of connective tissue that covers the liver and extends into the interior as septa, dividing the liver into lobes.
- Parenchyma: The functional tissue of the liver, consisting of hepatocytes (liver cells).
- Stroma: The supportive framework, including connective tissue, blood vessels, bile ducts, and lymphatics.
Microscopic Structure:
Hepatocytes:
- Polygonal cells with a central nucleus and abundant cytoplasm.
- Each hepatocyte has multiple faces with microvilli that protrude into sinusoids.
Sinusoids:
- Modified capillaries that line the liver parenchyma.
- They have fenestrated endothelium with gaps called "fenestrae" that allow for exchange of substances between blood and hepatocytes.
Kupffer Cells:
- Specialized macrophages located within the sinusoids that filter blood and remove bacteria and debris.
Bile Canals:
- Small channels formed by the apposition of hepatocyte microvilli.
- They collect bile produced by hepatocytes and transport it to larger bile ducts.
Larger Bile Ducts:
- Gradually increase in size from bile canaliculi to the common hepatic duct, which drains bile from the liver.
Portal Tracts:
- Triads of structures located at the periphery of lobules.
- They contain:
- Hepatic artery (providing oxygenated blood)
- Hepatic portal vein (carrying nutrients from the intestine)
- Bile duct
Lobules:
- Structural units of the liver parenchyma.
- They are hexagonal in shape and consist of:
- Central vein: A small vein that collects blood from the sinusoids.
- Hepatocyte plates: Radiating cords of hepatocytes that surround the central vein.
- Sinusoids: Between the hepatocyte plates.
Glissons Capsule:
- A thin layer of connective tissue that covers the liver and extends into the interior as septa, dividing the liver into lobes.
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