L78: Glossary of Terms for Liver Anatomy

Bile

A fluid composed of water, bilirubin, cholesterol, electrolytes, and bile salts, generated within the liver.

Bilirubin

An intermediate product of erythrocyte-derived heme breakdown; it is conjugated by hepatocytes and secreted into bile.

Hepatic sinusoids

Narrow vascular spaces that run parallel to hepatic cords, transporting blood from the hepatic arteries and portal veins towards the central vein.

Ito cells

Interstitial cells in the Space of Disse that store vitamin A and contribute to collagen deposition in tissue repair.

Kupffer cells

Resident tissue macrophages located within the hepatic sinusoids of the liver.

Portal triad

A connective tissue structure within the liver containing the bile ductule, hepatic artery, and portal vein.

Portal system

A circulatory pathway where blood flows from a capillary bed into a vein and then to another capillary bed before returning to the heart.

Space of Disse

The narrow space between hepatocytes and the hepatic sinusoids, which is not discernible by light microscopy.