Histological diagram of liver
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I now have comprehensive, high-quality histological diagrams from authoritative textbooks. Here is the full annotated response:
Histology of the Liver
1. Hepatic Lobule - Overall Structure
Fig. 16-11, Junqueira's Basic Histology (17th ed.) — (a) Hepatic lobule diagram with central vein and portal triads at periphery. (b) Detailed view of hepatocyte plates, sinusoids, bile canaliculi, and the portal triad components. (c) H&E micrograph showing central vein (C), hepatocyte plates (H), portal venule (PV), hepatic arteriole (HA), bile ductule (B), and lymphatic (L).
2. 3D Hepatic Lobule Architecture
FIG. 14.2, Miller's Anesthesia (10th ed.) — 3D block diagram showing hexagonal lobules, each centered on a central vein, with hepatocyte cords (plates) radiating outward, surrounded by portal triads (portal venule, hepatic arteriole, bile ductule) at each corner.
3. Hepatic Acinus, Sinusoid, and Hepatocyte Zonation
FIG. 14.3, Miller's Anesthesia (10th ed.) — (A) Hepatic acinus with zones 1-2-3 from portal triad (PT) to central vein (CV). (B) Sinusoid ultrastructure showing endothelial cells (EC), hepatic stellate cells (HSC), hepatocytes (HC), bile canaliculus (BC), Kupffer cells (KC), and the Space of Disse with its oxygen gradient. (C) Hepatocyte zonation and the metabolic functions that vary by zone.
4. Hepatic Lobule Microvasculature - Histological Sections
Fig. 16-13, Junqueira's Basic Histology (17th ed.) — (a) H&E: hepatocytes (H) and sinusoids (S). (b) Silver stain: reticulin fibers (R) supporting hepatocyte plates. (c) Mallory trichrome: central vein (C) with sinusoids draining into it. (d) H&E: portal triad showing portal venule (PV), hepatic arteriole (HA), and bile ductule (BD).
Key Structural Components
| Structure | Description |
|---|---|
| Hepatic Lobule | Polygonal unit (~0.7 x 2 mm); thousands per liver; classic functional unit |
| Central Vein (terminal hepatic venule) | At the center of each lobule; drains blood from sinusoids |
| Portal Triad | At each corner of the hexagonal lobule; contains portal venule, hepatic arteriole, bile ductule |
| Hepatocyte Plates (Cords) | One-cell-thick plates radiating from central vein to periphery |
| Hepatic Sinusoids | Fenestrated capillaries between hepatocyte plates; carry mixed arterial + portal venous blood |
| Space of Disse | Perisinusoidal space between sinusoidal endothelium and hepatocytes; contains hepatic stellate cells |
| Kupffer Cells | Resident macrophages lining sinusoids; phagocytose effete RBCs and pathogens |
| Bile Canaliculi | Tiny grooves between adjacent hepatocytes carrying bile toward bile ductules |
Hepatocyte Zones (Rappaport Acinus)
| Zone | Location | Main Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (periportal) | Closest to portal triad; highest O2 | Gluconeogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, urea synthesis, bile acid synthesis |
| Zone 2 (mid-acinar) | Intermediate | Intermediate functions |
| Zone 3 (perivenous/centrilobular) | Closest to central vein; lowest O2 | Glycolysis, lipogenesis, CYP450 drug metabolism, most susceptible to ischemic/toxic injury |
Sources: Junqueira's Basic Histology Text and Atlas, 17th ed. | Miller's Anesthesia, 10th ed. (FIG. 14.2 & 14.3)
Schematic histological diagram of liver
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Here is a schematic histological diagram of the liver. The key structures shown are:
Classic Hepatic Lobule (hexagonal unit)
- Central vein - at the center; receives blood draining through sinusoids
- Hepatocyte cords/plates - single-cell-thick plates radiating from central vein to periphery
- Hepatic sinusoids - fenestrated vascular channels between hepatocyte plates; carry mixed portal + arterial blood toward the central vein
- Portal triads - at each of the 6 corners, each containing:
- Portal venule (nutrient-rich, low-O2 blood from gut)
- Hepatic arteriole (oxygenated blood)
- Bile ductule (carries bile away from hepatocytes)
- Bile canaliculi - tiny channels between adjacent hepatocytes, carrying bile in the opposite direction to blood flow (toward the portal triad)
Sinusoid Ultrastructure (inset)
- Space of Disse - perisinusoidal space where plasma directly bathes hepatocyte microvilli
- Kupffer cells - resident macrophages sitting within the sinusoidal lumen
- Hepatic stellate cells (Ito cells) - lipocyte-like cells in the Space of Disse; store vitamin A; become activated in fibrosis
- Fenestrated endothelium - allows plasma but not blood cells to enter the Space of Disse
Hepatocyte Zones (Rappaport Acinus)
- Zone 1 (periportal) - highest O2; gluconeogenesis, beta-oxidation, urea synthesis
- Zone 2 (mid-acinar) - intermediate
- Zone 3 (centrilobular) - lowest O2; CYP450 metabolism, glycolysis, lipogenesis; most vulnerable to ischemia and drug toxicity
Create image of schematic diagram of histology of liver, h & E.
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Here is a schematic H&E-style diagram of liver histology. The classic pink and purple H&E color palette is used throughout:
What you're seeing:
| Structure | H&E Appearance |
|---|---|
| Hepatocyte cytoplasm | Pink/eosinophilic, granular |
| Hepatocyte nuclei | Round, dark purple/basophilic; ~50% are binucleate |
| Central vein | Large, thin-walled vessel at the lobule center |
| Hepatic sinusoids | Pale, irregular vascular spaces between hepatocyte plates |
| Portal venule | Large, thin-walled vessel in the portal triad |
| Hepatic arteriole | Small, thick-walled (smooth muscle visible) in the portal triad |
| Bile ductule | Small lumen lined by cuboidal cholangiocytes, in the portal triad |
| Kupffer cells | Dark nuclei projecting into sinusoidal lumen |
| Space of Disse | Narrow perisinusoidal space between endothelium and hepatocytes |
Key H&E landmarks to identify in exams:
- The portal triad always contains 3 structures: venule (largest), arteriole (thick wall), ductule (cuboidal lining)
- Blood flows portal triad → sinusoids → central vein
- Bile flows opposite direction: canaliculi → ductule
- Zone 3 hepatocytes (around central vein) are most susceptible to ischemic and toxic injury (e.g., paracetamol/acetaminophen overdose causes centrilobular necrosis)
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