Page 629 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

clotting factors prothrombin and fibrinogen. The liver cells also store

essential nutrients, fats, various vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates as
glycogen. When needed, the stored glycogen in the liver is converted back
into glucose and released into the bloodstream.

PHAGOCYTIC FUNCTIONS

Hepatocytes detoxify the blood of drugs and toxic substances as it percolates
through the sinusoids. Kupffer cells that line the sinusoids are fixed liver

phagocytes that originated from blood monocytes. These large, branching
cells span the sinusoids and are filled with lysosomes. They filter and
phagocytose the particulate material, bacteria, cellular debris, and worn-out

or damaged erythrocytes that flow through the sinusoids.

In addition, antibodies (immunoglobulins) produced by plasma cells in
the intestinal lamina propria are taken up from blood by hepatocytes and
transported into bile canaliculi and bile. From here, antibodies enter the
intestinal lumen to control its bacterial flora.

FIGURE 16.4 | Bovine Liver: Liver Lobule

(Transverse Section)

This lower-magnification photomicrograph of a bovine liver illustrates hepatic
(liver) lobules. The portal area of the lobule contains the branches of the portal
vein (5), the hepatic artery (6), and, normally, a bile duct, which is not seen in
this micrograph. From the central vein (1) radiate the plates of hepatic cells (2)

toward the lobule periphery. Located between the plates of hepatic cells (2) are
the blood sinusoids (3) that convey blood from the portal vein (5) and hepatic
artery (6) to the central vein (1). Both the central vein (1) and the sinusoids (3)
are lined with a discontinuous and fenestrated type of endothelium (4).

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