Histology of Liver

 T. S. of Liver of Mammal

The liver is the largest digestive gland. Histologically it shows the following parts.

1. The liver is composed of polygonal lobules containing a central vein in the center and the portal canal at the corners.

2 Each portal canal consists of a connective tissue strand and contains a

branch of the portal vein, hepatic artery, bile duct, and lymph vessel.

3. The liver cells are polyhedral or rectangular and arranged in single-celled

long chains extending radially from the central vein to the periphery of the

lobule.

4. Each liver cell has granular cytoplasm and a prominent nucleus.

Function of liver

The liver has several functions.

The liver produces bile which plays important role in the digestion of food.

 It stores the soluble products of digestion and metabolizes them for

assimilation.

In the liver toxic substances are detoxicated in the liver.

  It helps in the emulsification of fat.