Histology Guide

virtual microscopy laboratory

Chapter 15 - Liver and Gallbladder

The liver is an accessory digestive gland that performs over 500 distinct functions that impact all body systems.

LIVER

The liver is the largest internal organ of the body. The principal cell of the liver is the hepatocyte. These epithelial cells are arranged in branching plates separated by capillary sinusoids through which blood flows. The liver filters blood that comes from the digestion tract before passing it to the rest of the body.

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Central Vein
SEM
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Portal Triad
SEM

Glycogen Is the storage form of glucose found predominantly in the liver and muscle cells. Glycogen granules are composed of highly branched polymers of glucose (a type of polysaccharide) and proteins involved in their metabolism.

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Glycogen
TEM
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Glycogen
TEM

Bile Canaliculi

Bile canaliculi are small tubular spaces between adjacent hepatocytes that collect bile secreted by the hepatocytes.

Sinusoids

Hepatocytes are separated by sinusoidal capillaries with a discontinuous endothelium with many pores (or fenestrations).

Kupffer Cell

Kupffer cells are macrophages that reside in sinusoids of the liver. They are the largest population of macrophages in the body.

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Ingesting Red Blood Cell
SEM

Hepatic Stellate Cell

Hepatic stellate cells (or Ito cells) contain lipid droplets of vitamin A.

GALLBLADDER

The main functions of the gallbladder are storage, concentration, and release of bile. When released into the small intestine, bile helps break down and the absorption of fats, cholesterol, and some vitamins.

Reabsorption

The appearance of the simple columnar epithelium changes when sodium ions and water are being transported across the epithelium to concentrate bile.

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Inactive Epithelial Cells
TEM
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Active Epithelial Cells
TEM