Liver Anatomy and Physiology Study Notes

1. What is the functional Hepatic acinus unit of liver tissue? Hepatic acinus is a structure that includes hepatocytes, portal triad and zones 2. Can you describe the hepatic artery components of portal portal vein triad found within the bile duct hepatic acinus? These structures play a crucial role in providing oxygen, nutrients and bile to the hepatocytes within the liver lobule 3. What term describes Protein catabolism - involves breakdown of proteins the process of break- into amino acids ing down proteins in the liver? 4. What is the subBile stance that emulsifies dietary lipids for digestion? 5. Can you explain the controls the release of bile into the duodenum role of the Sphincter of Oddi in the diges- it is a muscular valve that regulates the flow of bile tive system? and pancreatic juices into the S.I for digestion 6. What term describes Ascites the abnormal accumulation of fluid in Ascites - a common complication of liver disease the abdomen? where fluid builds up in the peritoneal cavity 7. Can you explain the function of Kupffer cells in the liver? phagocytic liver macrophages that act on foreign antigens They play a crucial role in the breakdown of damaged RBC. as well as immune responses within the liver 8. Hepatomegaly 1/8 What is the term for the enlargement of the liver? 9. What is the substance synthesised by the liver that is used as an energy source? Triglycerides 10. What proteins main- Albumin tain plasma oncotic pressure? 11. Whar is the term for the stored energy in the liver? Glycogen Glycogen - a polysaccharide that serves as a reserve of glucose in liver and muscle for energy production 12. What is the term for Xanthomas cholesterol deposits in the skin? 13. What proteins is pre- alpha-fetoprotein sent in foetal plasma and liver carcinoma? It is a biomarker that can be elevated in certain conditions, including liver cancer 14. What is the term for Pruritus the process of itching due to impaired bile flow? 15. Can you explain the role of coagulation factors in the body? proteins involved in blood clotting, stop bleeding when there is an injury 16. What is the vein that Hepatic portal vein divides the liver into right and left lobes? 2/8 17. What term describes the impaired hepatic blood flow that leads to varices and ascites? Portal hypertension It is an increase in blood pressure, often due to liver disease which can lead to complications like varices (enlarged veins) and ascites ( abdominal fluid accumulation) 18. What is the term Portosystemic encephalaopathy for the neurological symptoms due to liver failure? 19. Whar structure atFalciform ligament taches the liver to the diaphragm and abdominal wall? 20. What substance is Lecithin (phospholipid) synthesized by the liver and is present in cell membranes? 21. Can you explain the role of bile acids in the digestion of dietary lipids? emulsifying them This process increases S.A of lipids, making it easier for enzymes to break them down into smaller molecules for absorption in S.I 22. What is the term for Zone 1 hepatocytes the liver cells closest to the portal venule? 23. The liver cells closer Zone 3 hepatocytes to the central venule are susceptible to injury. What is the term for these cells? 24. Ampulla of Vater 3/8 What is the term for the site where bile is secreted into the duodenum? 25. What does the Am- the point at which bile exits the duodenum pulla of Vater represent in the digestive represents the junction where the common bile duct system? (carrying bile from liver +gallbladdr) and pancreatic duct come together and empty their contents into the duodenum. 26. What is the term for Glycogenolysis the process of breaking down glycogen to maintain blood gluose levels? 27. What is the term Bilirubin for the end-product of hemoglobin breakdown that is conjugated in the liver for excretion? 28. What is the term Phase 2 Metabolism for the process that involves biotransformation in metabolism? 29. What is the term for the protein involved in copper metabolism? caeruloplasmin 30. What is the term for Space of Disse the area between sinusoidal endothelium 4/8 and hepatocytes in the liver? 31. What is the function It plays a role in the exchange of substances between of the space of Disse hepatocytes and the blood in the sinusoids. in the liver lobule? 32. What is the term for the yellowing of the skin due to bilirubin buildup? Jaundice 33. Which liver function Protein synthesis. involves the synthesis of essential circu- The liver is responsible for producing essential circulating proteins? lating proteins like albumin and clotting factors. 34. Which liver function Lipoprotein metabolism involves the transport of fats like cholesterol and triglycerides in a water-insoluble form? 35. Which liver function Cholesterol synthesis involves the synthesis of phospholipids like lecithin? 36. Which liver funcDetoxification tion involves the role in drug metabolism, specifically involving cytochrome P450? 37. can you explain why Bilirubin needs to be conjugated in the liver for excrebilirubin needs to be tion because it is a byproduct of the breakdown of red conjugated in the liv- blood cells er for excretion? 5/8 38. What is the liver ac- 25-hydroxylation tivation of Vitamin D3 called? This process is essential for the body to utilise Vitamin D properly 39. What liver cells are Hepatocytes are liver cells rich in oxygen and nutririch in oxygen and ents in Zone 1 nutrients in Zone 1? 40. Which liver division is Hepatic segments supplied by branches of the portal vein? 41. What is the term for Sinusoids the blood vessels carrying out metabolic functions in the liver? 42. What is the term for gallbladder the liver's role in storing and concentrating hepatic bile? 43. What are bile ducts responsible for? draining bile from lobules in the liver 44. What is the term for Hepatocytes the liver cells manufacturing bile? 45. What is the term for Glisson's capsule the protective covering of the liver? 46. What is the term for Oesophageal varices the dilated veins in the esophagus associated with portal hypertension? 6/8 47. What is a term for Sinusoidal endothelial cells the blood vessels that lack a basement membrane and allow macromolecule exchange in the liver? 48. What is the term for Kupffer cells the phagocytic cells surrounding the liver sinusoids? 49. What is the term for the metabolic pathway for energy production in the liver? Krebs cycle 50. Can you explain what taken up into hepatocytes for conjugation, excreted in happens to circubile, and converted in the gut to urobilinogen lating unconjugated bilirubin? This urobilinogen is either excreted in stools as stercobilinogen/reabsorbed and either re-circulated then re-excreted hepatically / renally 51. What happens to 95% reabsorbed in the terminal ileum to maintain the bile of bile in the body? salt pool 52. What do stellate cells maintain structure of the liver lobule help maintain in the liver lobule? 53. Can you explain the significance of the hexagonal shape of liver lobules? allows for efficient exchange of substances between hepatocytes and the blood in the sinusoids 54. Can you explain the - detoxification role of hepatocytes in - metabolism the liver lobules in re- - synthesis of proteins 7/8 lation to this efficient exchange? 55. Can you explain the role of bile salts in the emulsification of fats and how it relates to the liver's functions? help emulsify fats by breaking them down into small droplets, thereby increasing the surface for enzymes to work on during digestion. The process aids in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins 8/8