Liver Tumors - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering liver anatomy, benign and malignant liver tumors, key etiologies, and diagnostic markers based on the lecture notes.

Liver lobule

Basic functional unit of the liver; hexagonal shape with a central vein and peripheral portal triads containing branches of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct.

Central vein

Venule at the center of each liver lobule that drains blood toward the hepatic veins.

Portal triad

Group consisting of a branch of the hepatic artery, a branch of the hepatic portal vein, and a bile duct at the lobule’s periphery.

Hepatic artery

Arterial branch supplying oxygenated blood to the liver (from the systemic circulation).

Hepatic portal vein

Vein carrying nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver.

Bile duct

Tube carrying bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestine; part of the portal triad.

Sinusoids

Liver capillaries between hepatocytes where blood percolates and exchanges occur.

Bile canaliculi

Small channels formed by hepatocytes that collect bile and drain toward bile ducts.

Hepatocyte

Primary functional liver cell responsible for metabolism, detoxification, and bile production.

Kupffer cell

Liver-resident macrophage lining sinusoids, involved in phagocytosis.

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia (FNH)

Usually solitary benign liver lesion with a central scar; commonly in 20–40 year-old women; no malignant potential.

Liver cell adenoma

Benign hepatocyte tumor, often in women; linked to oral contraceptives; risk of rupture with potential hemoperitoneum.

Hemangioma

Most common benign liver tumor; dilated vascular spaces with connective tissue; can bleed and sequester platelets.

Metastatic carcinoma to liver

Most common malignant liver tumors; typically originate from colon, lung, or breast.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Primary liver cancer composed of malignant hepatocytes; associated with hepatitis B/C, aflatoxins, cirrhosis; various histologic patterns.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Primary liver cancer from malignant bile duct epithelium within intrahepatic ducts; may be peripheral or hilar (Klatskin tumor).

Hepatoblastoma

Most common primary malignant liver tumor in children.

Angiosarcoma

Primary malignant sarcoma of the liver arising from vascular endothelial cells.

Aflatoxins

Mycotoxins (from Aspergillus) linked to hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in endemic regions.

Hepatitis B

Viral infection associated with chronic liver disease and risk of HCC.

Hepatitis C

Viral infection associated with chronic liver disease and risk of HCC.

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease that markedly increases risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

Serum tumor marker elevated in many HCC cases; used in screening and diagnosis.

Klatskin tumor

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma at the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts.

Thorotrast

Historical radiopaque contrast agent linked to development of cholangiocarcinoma.

Opisthorchis / Clonorchis

Parasitic infections associated with cholangiocarcinoma risk.

Fibrolamellar variant

Histologic variant of HCC with prominent fibrous stroma, typically in younger patients.