416 



THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 



the lining epithelium of the hepatic, cystic and common bile ducts is 

 very tall. The epithelial cells of the ducts possess characteristic spherical 

 or ovoid nuclei which are heavily loaded with chromatin. Their cyto- 

 plasm is clear or finely reticular. The largest ducts contain a few goblet 



FIG. 392. FROM A SECTION OF THE RABBIT'S LIVER WHOSE BLOOD-VESSELS HAD 

 BEEN INJECTED WITH A CARMIN STAINED GELATIN MASS; SOMEWHAT MORE 

 THAN A SINGLE LOBULE is REPRESENTED. 



a, interlobular veins; b, central vein; c, central vein from which the injection 

 mass had fallen out; the capillaries are dark. Photo. X 70. 



cells; small mucous glands are found in the hepatic and common bile 

 duct. 



The epithelium of the interlobular bile ducts rests upon a thin base- 

 ment membrane, which is surrounded by a thick fibre-elastic coat. The 

 larger ducts are also supplied with circular smooth muscle fibers, which, 

 in the largest branches, form a considerable coat. Outside of the liver, 



