HISTOLOGY OF

LIVER

The main functional cell in the liver is a

form of epithelial cell called the
hepatocyte. These cells are arranged as thin
plates separated by fine vascular sinusoids
through which blood flows. The close
association of liver cells and the circulation
allows absorption of nutrients from digestion
as well as secretion of products into the
blood. Blood flow into the liver sinusoids
comes from terminal branches of both the
hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery.

HEPATOCYTES
Hepatocytes are large polyhedral cells
with round nuclei with peripherally dispersed
chromatin and prominent nucleoli. The
nuclei vary greatly in size, reflecting an
unusual cellular feature; more than half the
hepatocytes contain twice the normal
(diploid) complement of chromosomes within
a single nucleus (i.e. they are tetraploid) and
some contain four or even eight times this
amount (polyploid).

SINUSOID LINING CELLS

The sinusoid lining cells include at least three
cell types. The majority of cells lining the
hepatic sinusoids are endothelial cells En
with flat darkly stained nuclei and thin
fenestrated cytoplasm.
Scattered among the endothelial cells are
large plump phagocytic cells with ovoid
nuclei. Known as Kupffer cells K, these form
part of the monocyte-macrophage defence
system and, with the spleen, participate in
the removal of spent erythrocytes and other
particulate debris from the circulation.

The third cell type, known variously as

stellate cells, Ito cells or hepatic
lipocytes, cannot be easily distinguished by
light microscopy. This cell type has lipid
droplets containing vitamin A in their
cytoplasm. These cells have the dual
functions of vitamin A storage and production
of extracellular matrix and collagen.