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The liver is the largest internal organ, weighing about 1.5 kg.
The liver is surrounded by a fibrous connective tissue capsule known as Glisson's capsule, which provides protection and structural support.
The liver is divided into a large left lobe and right lobe, along with two smaller lobes called the quadrate and caudate lobes.
The functional tissue of the liver is known as liver parenchyma, which is organized into thousands of hepatic lobules.
Hepatic lobules are the structural units of the liver that contain hepatocytes and are essential for the liver's various functions, including metabolism and detoxification.
The liver receives a dual blood supply from the terminal branches of the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic artery.
Sinusoids are specialized blood vessels in the liver that allow blood to flow through and come into contact with hepatocytes for nutrient processing and detoxification.
Hepatocytes are the main functional cells of the liver that perform various functions, including bile production, plasma protein synthesis, metabolism of nutrients, and detoxification of waste products.
The central vein is located at the center of each hepatic lobule and collects blood from the sinusoids, draining it into the hepatic veins.
A portal triad is a structure found at the corners of hepatic lobules, consisting of a bile duct, a portal venule, and a hepatic artery.
The portal venule has a larger diameter and thinner walls compared to the hepatic artery, which has a smaller diameter and thicker walls.
At lower magnification, hepatic lobules can be identified by their prominent central vein and a slightly pale central portion compared to the darker edges.
Hepatocytes are large polygonal cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and basophilic nuclei, organized into plates that radiate from the central vein.
Lipofuscin is a brown granule found within hepatocytes, indicating wear and tear, and its amount typically increases with age.
The supportive tissue in hepatic plates is made up of reticulin fibers, which provide structural support to the liver.
Reticulin fibers can be visualized using a specific reticulin stain, which helps in diagnosing conditions like hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatic plates that are more than three cells thick can be indicative of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Bile produced by hepatocytes is essential for the digestion and absorption of fats in the intestine.
The liver is involved in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, as well as the storage of glucose, vitamins, and iron.
The liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying metabolic waste products, drugs, and toxins, ensuring they are safely processed and eliminated from the body.
The liver maintains homeostasis by regulating blood glucose levels, synthesizing proteins, and metabolizing nutrients, thus playing a vital role in overall metabolic balance.