Page 624 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

FIGURE 16.1 ■ A section from the liver is illustrated, with emphasis on the
details of the liver lobule.

In histologic sections, liver exhibits repeating hexagonal units called liver
(hepatic) lobules. In the center of each lobule is the central vein, from which

radiate plates of liver cells, called hepatocytes, and the blood vessels, sinusoids,
toward the periphery. In the periphery, the surrounding connective tissue
contains portal canals, also called portal areas or portal triads, where
branches of the hepatic artery, hepatic portal vein, bile duct, and lymph

vessels can be seen. In human liver, three to six portal areas can be seen per
hepatic lobule. Venous and arterial blood from the vessels in the peripheral

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