Histology liver

14 important questions on Histology liver

The liver receives blood of two systems. Which systems?

  • Veins: the hepatic portal vein (nutrient-rich, oxygen-poor blood)
  • Hepatic artery (oxygen-rich blood --> for energy)

What is the portal area?

The portal area is where the bile duct, the hepatic portal vein, and the hepatic artery enter the lobule.

What is the functional unit of the liver?

Liver lobule
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Hepatocytes have two nuclei, why?

Because they need to make a lot of enzymes + large cells (fusion of 2 cells).

Why do cell functions in the liver depend on the location in the lobule?

Because in the peripheral domain (outside) you have a lot of oxygen but in the central domain there is no oxygen anymore.

What are the characteristics of the sinusoidal domain?

  • Space of Disse
  • Many microvilli
  • Secretion and uptake of proteins and hormone

What is the pericapillary space (PS)?

The space in between hepatocyte and endothelium.

What are 5 functions of the liver?

  • Bile production
  • Lipid metabolism
  • Glucose metabolism
  • Protein metabolism
  • Detoxification

What is the difference between bilirubin and bilirubin glucuronide?

Bilirubin is the toxic product of hemoglobin.
Bilirubin glucuronide is not toxic, it is secreted in the bile to go to the intestines --> feces.

What is lipid metabolism?

The synthesis of cholesterol and phospholipids. This is secreted to the space of Disse.

What is glucose metabolism?

  • Regulation of blood-glucose levels: storage of glucose in glycogen (insulin) or release glucose from glycogen (glucagon).
  • Synthesis of glucose: either from other sugars (fructose, galactose) or from non-carbohydrate sources (AA & lipids; gluconeogenesis).

What is protein metabolism? Where does it occur?

Protein metabolism occurs in the ER. It is the elimination of ammonium, metabolized to urea going to the kidney and the synthesis of plasma proteins:
  • Coagulation factors
  • Complement proteins
  • Transport-proteins (for metabolites)

What is detoxification? Where does this happen?

The breakdown of drugs, antibiotics, and alcohol. This happens in the smooth ER and peroxisomes.

Alcohol is cytotoxic for hepatocytes. What are the consequences?

  • Inflammation reaction (hepatitis)
  • Loss of hepatocytes (peripheral)
  • Scarr tissue (cirrhosis)

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