Understanding function and dysfunction of the liver

[Guest guest]

http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/liver/anatomy.html

Understanding function and dysfunction of the liver, more than most other

organs, depends on understanding its structure. The major aspects of

hepatic structure that require detailed attention include:

The hepatic vascular system, which has several unique characteristics

relative to other organs

The biliary tree, which is a system of ducts that transports bile out of

the liver into the small intestine

The three dimensional arrangements of the liver cells, or hepatocytes and

their association with the vascular and biliary systems.

The Hepatic Vascular System

The circulatory system of the liver is unlike that seen in any other organ.

Of great importance is the fact that a majority of the liver's blood supply

is venous blood! The pattern of blood flow in the liver can be summarized

as follows:

Roughly 75% of the blood entering the liver is venous blood from the portal

vein.

Importantly, all of the venous blood returning from the small intestine,

stomach, pancreas and spleen converges into the portal vein.

One consequence of this is that the liver gets " first pickings " of

everything absorbed in the small intestine, which, as we will see, is where

virtually all nutrients are absorbed.

The remaining 25% of the blood supply to the liver is arterial blood from

the hepatic artery.

http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/liver/anatomy.html