Liver physiology

Question 1

What is the architectural building block of the liver?

Answer 1

Liver lobule

Question 2

What do central veins from the liver lobules join to?

Answer 2

Hepatic vein

Question 3

What runs along the corner of each lobule?

Answer 3

Portal triad

Question 4

What does the portal triad consist of?

Answer 4

Hepatic artery
Hepatic portal vein
Bile duct

PLUS

Branch of vagus nerve
Lymph vessels

Question 5

What are found between hepatocyte plates?

Answer 5

Liver sinusoids

Question 6

How much bile does the liver produce per day?

Answer 6

Between 0.25 and 1L of bile a day

Question 7

What are the 2 main functions of bile?

Answer 7

Emulsify fats in the small intestine

AND

Eliminate substances from the liver

Question 8

What allows the liver to recycle and preserve bile?

Answer 8

Enterohepatic circulation

Question 9

Describe the anatomy of the biliary tree.

Answer 9

Interlobular bile ducts > right and left hepatic ducts > common hepatic duct (+cystic duct) > common bile duct (+pancreatic duct).

Question 10

How much bile is produced by the liver in 24 hours?

Answer 10

400-800ml

Question 11

Which hormone causes the release of bile?

Answer 11

CCK

Question 12

What are the 2 functions of bile acids?

Answer 12

Emulsification of lipid aggregates
Solubilisation and transport of lipids (micelles)

Question 13

What role does CCK play in the secretion of bile?

Answer 13

Causes contraction of gall bladder and CBD = delivers bile to the gut

Question 14

What role does secretin play in the secretion of bile?

Answer 14

Stimulates biliary duct cells to secrete bicarbonate and water to expand the volume of bile