DIGESTIVE GLANDS. 229 



Whether this intracellular system is an artifact due 

 to manipulations or a normal condition is at present 

 unsettled. In either case the liver cells play a deli- 

 cate role, and a slight functional disturbance may 

 allow the bile to escape to the blood capillaries, with 

 jaundice as a natural sequel. In such a case there 

 may or may not be any pain depending on the pres- 

 ence or absence of an obstruction in the bile duct. 



Stellate Cells of Kupffer. These are uniformly 

 distributed in the lobules. The cells are irregular, 

 elongated, and end in two or three pointed projec- 

 tions. They are smaller than the hepatic cells and 

 are seen only after a special method of treatment. 

 According to Kupffer these cells belong to the endo- 

 thelium of the intralobular blood capillaries, and 

 possess a phagocytic function. 



Lastly, each lobule is interlaced by a fine reticular 

 connective fabric that comes from the connective- 

 tissue investment of the lobule. This gives support 

 and consistency to the lobule. 



Lymphatics of the Liver. These may be divided 

 into (i) the interlobular lymphatics, which accom- 

 pany and in some places surround the blood-vessels, 

 and (2) subperitoneal lymphatics on the surface of 

 the organ which in the upper portions communicate 

 through the ligaments with the thoracic lymphatics. 



Nerves of the Liver. The liver receives medullated 

 fibers from the left pneumogastric and non-medul- 

 lated fibers from the solar plexus. The nerves reach 

 the organ between the two layers of the small omen- 

 turn and accompany the portal canal, therefore enter 

 the liver at the transverse fissure. The sympathetic 



