The liver

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  • Created by: Steff06
  • Created on: 09-03-16 09:40
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  • The liver
    • The liver produces important chemicals and BILE.
      • The liver breaks down TOXINS and old ERYTHROCYTES.
    • HEPATOCYTES (liver cells) carry out metabolic processes and the liver has an important role in HOMEOSTASIS.
    • The liver is supplied with blood from 2 sources.
      • OXYGENATED blood from the HEART.
        • Blood travels from AORTA via the HEPATIC ARTERY into the liver. Supplies OXYGEN essential for AEROBIC RESPIRATION.
      • DEOXYGENATED blood from the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
        • Enters liver via the HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN.
    • Blood LEAVES the liver via the HEPATIC VEIN and rejoins the VENA CAVA.
    • BILE DUCT that carries bile from liver to the GALL BLADDER where it is stored until required to aid digestion of fats.
    • Liver is divided into LOBES which are further divided into CYLINDRICAL LOBULES.
    • Each lobule contains VERTICAL ROWS of HEPATOCYTES arranged around a central blood vessel called the CENTRAL VEIN.
    • BRANCHES of the HEPATIC ARTERY and HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN supply blood to the CAPILLARIES in chambers called SINUSOIDS of each LOBULE.
    • Running BETWEEN the lobules in the opposite direction to the blood are CANALICULI (fine DUCTS) carrying BILE from the liver cells towards the man bile duct.
    • LOBULES: Each is a 6-sided structure consisting of specialised EPITHELIAL cells called HEPATOCYTES. Lobules arranged in IRREGULAR, branching interconnected plates around the CENTRAL VEIN.
    • Hepatocytes have a simple cuboidal shape with many MICROVILLI.

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