Saturday, April 23, 2011

Objective 59: Microscopic Anatomy of the Liver

Appreciate the microscopic anatomy of the liver.....

Liver


Understanding that the livers overall function in the body is to filter and process the blood supply helps with understanding the microscopic anatomy.  The photo that I took in lab helps me in grasping the concept that the liver lobules are a six-sided shape with a central vein running through it.  The picture from the Anatomy and Physiology text* shows in depth what occurs at the portal triad on each one of those corners.  Reading through the text explained the many facets of the liver including:
Glycogen storage
Decomposition of RBC'S
Plasma protein synthesis
Hormone production and detoxification
Bile production

Nurse's Note: Two common diagnoses that pertain to the liver are Hepatitis, a long-term, chromic and potentially fatal infection of the liver caused by a virus and Cirrhosis, a chronic infection of the liver caused by alcoholism. 




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