Histology of liver

Each lobe of the liver consists of a large number of lobules, which are the secretory units of liver. These lobules are branching and anastomosing. The interlobular spaces, the blood vessels, blood capillaries, bile ducts and bile capillaries give the interior of liver a reticulate appearance. Hence the liver is described as a reticulate gland. The lobule of liver is formed of polyhedral hepatic cells. Each hepatic cell contains in its cytoplasm a large round and distinct nucleus, protein granules, Glycogen granules, very few fat globules and dark brown or black pigment granules.

There is a large number of thin, long and branched bile capillaries devoid of walls, transverse of thin long and branched bile capillaries devoid of walls transverse through the intercellular spaces in the hepatic cells masses. These capillaries unite with each other to form hepatic ductules, which in turn form a large hepatic duct that opens in the gall bladder. Some of the hepatic ductules open directly in the cystic duct. The lumen of hepatic ducts and ductules is lined by cuboidal epithelium. The histological structure of liver shows the branches of hepatic portal vein and hepatic arteries cut transversely, longitudinally or obliquely. The section of liver shows several small and large blood sinuses and a large number of erythrocytes.