Historical perspectives
Hooke (1600-1700) early microscopic observations – 1665 observed “globules” which were either the cells themselves or other artefacts or parts of tissues or cells Grewe (1600-1700) early microscopic observations similar to Hooke Lister (1830) improved microscope improved microscopic observations Purkinje (1838) identified nuclii in liver cells and established the appearance of the liver cell Minot (1900-2000 AD) distinguished the sinusoid from the capillary circulation Beckmann in 1859 noted “spindle shaped or with several processes” with “black pigment” prior to the observations of Kupffer Kupffer (1800-1900 AD) Kupffer stained the liver with gold chloride he identified this stellate cell which he thought was external to the sinusoid
the liver lobule is a structural and functional unit of the liver structurally characterised by plates of parenchyma separated by sinusoids placed in radial fashion around a central vein surrounded by portal triads and supported by connective tissue functionally characterised to act as a metabolic unit to process mesenteric blood and to directly transport the procesed blood into the venous circulation multifunctional in metabolism synthesis production storage transport protection part of subsegment segment lobe giving rise to liver plates sinusoids space of Disse common diseases include fatty change, hepatitis, cirrhosis requires microscopc analysis medical therapy
The parts of the lobule include plates or cords of parenchyma sinusoids portal triads central vein connective tissue divided into three zones, zone 1 closest to hepatic artery and portal vein zone 2 intermediate zone 3 abutting the terminal hepatic venule
The parenchyma is the glandular epithelium formed into structurally characterised by plates or cords radially arranged separated by hepatic sinusoids making up portal lobule bounded by portal triads
The Cells
Cells of the liver hepatocytes dominate Kupffer cells lipocytes are found within the space of Disse epithelia of the bile ducts vessels. hepatocytes are the major cellular component of the liver comprising approximately 70% of the liver by volume. structurally characterised by their large size and the absence of a basement membrane functionally characterised by their remarkable metabolic and regenerative capability part of liver plate lobule made up of nucleus cytoplasm diseases infection, fatty change, malignancy diagnosis by microscopy and electron microscopy treatment medical
The liver is a compound tubular serous gland structural unit is a lobule tubules are replaced by cellular plates that branch and anastomose alongside and in parallel with a vascular system size each lobule measures 1-2mm shape hexagon position within the parenchyma character malleable growth tremendous regenerative capacity parts plates of liver cells. (cords) sinusoids space of Disse central venule capsule incompletelyseparates lobules and Glisson’s capsule surrounds the portal triad support reticular network to sinusoids and Glissons capsule connections direct through incomplete capsule to other lobules sinusoids space of Disse to lymphatics central vein to systemic venous system bile ducts to digestive tract blood supply portal venous and hepatic artery via a common sinusoid nerve supply sympathetic parasympathetic ducts bile ductules venous drainage central venule, which drains into a sublobular vein. relations mostly to other lobules
The Cell
The cell is the building block of all biological structure. In this image a few polygonal cells of the liver are attached together. Each cell has a central dark nucleus which is embedded in a pinkish cytoplasm. The nucleus takes up approximately 1/5 to 1/6 of the volume of the cell. (Image courtesy of Barbara Banner M.D.) 13440 |
The Tissue
The cells of the liver are organized in cords and plates and are organized like spokes of a wheel around the central vein. The plates and cords are lined by the sinusoids which are the channels which carry blood to the liver. Just below the sinusoids, between the wall of the sinusoid and the capsule of the liver there is a space called the space of Disse which carries the lymphatic fluid of the liver. (Image courtesy |
Tissue Units
The sinusoids and hepatic cords combine to form a liver lobule which is a functional and structural unit of the liver. At the center of the lobule is the central vein from which emanate many cords of liver tissue. At the periphery of the lobule there are 4-5 groups of portal triads consisting of distal branches of the portal vein (dark blue), hepatic artery (red) and biliary radicle (green). They create the border of the lobule. (Image courtesy of Ashley Davidoff M.D.) 13009 W |
Lobules |
There are a multiplicity of lobules, each with a central vein and each delivering the “goods” to venules, which collectively join to form the hepatic veins and then into the IVC. Destination? The heart, from where it will be distributed to the body wide system. (Image courtesy of Ashley Davidoff M.D.) |
The blood vessels
Venules
The central vein is a small vein structurally characterised by its central position in the lobule of the liver functionally characterised by contribution to the larger whole but being the origin of the hepatic venous system that transports metabolically rich products to the rest of the body part of hepatic venous system made up from terminal branches of the sinusoids common diseases include congestion clinical presentation pain if capsule involved diagnostic studies include right heart catheterization for pressure eavaluation treatment is commonly by medical
Biliary radicles
Bile canaliculus is a secretory tubule. or secretory ductule. It is structurally characterised by its position midway between two liver cells. It is functionally characterised as a transport system of bile from the cell to the major biliary ducts.
The space of Disse
Disse’s space lies between the sinusoidal lining and hepatic-cell surfaces. Formed elements of the blood are excluded from the space of Disse
The capsule
The capsule that surrounds the portal triad structurally characterized being the intrahepatic extension of the liver capsule consisting of serosal outer and fibroelastic inner capsule. It also forms a loose capsule around the liver lobule. Functionally characterised as a support and protective barrier for the portal triad and the liver lobule serving to support the fine reticular network within the lobule disease from the peritoneal cavity may spread within the portal triad within the lymphatics, or within its spaces.
Applied
Alcoholic cirrhosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the liver caused by chronic ingestion of alcohol resulting in a scarred poorly functioning liver local change with loss of liver cells chronic inflammation of the liver and systemic signs of chronic inflammation characterised by regenerative nodules fibrosis of the liver of the micronodular type
Micronodules of cirrhosis
Cardiac Congestion
cardiac cirrhosis is a chronic circulatory disorder of the liver caused by chronic right sided heart failure resulting in chronic congestion and subsequent fibrosis of the liver characterised by fibrotic process and regenerative nodules