STRUCTURAL AXATOMV OF THE LIVER. 



579 



Fig I73.f 



rests upon an hepatic vein, which Fig- 172 * 



is thence named sMobular. The 

 capsular surface includes the rest of 

 the periphery of the lobule, and 

 has received its designation from 

 being enclosed in an areolar capsule 

 derived from the capsule of Glisson. 

 In the centre of each lobule is a 

 small vein, the intralobular, which 

 is formed by the convergence of 

 six or eight minute venules from 

 the rounded processes of the peri- 

 phery. The intralobular vein thus 

 constituted takes its course through 

 the centre of the longitudinal axis 

 of the lobule, pierces the middle of its base, and opens into the sub- 

 lobular vein. The periphery of the lobule, with the exception of its 

 base, which is always closely attached to a sublobular vein, is con- 

 nected by means of its areolar capsule with the capsular surfaces of 

 surrounding lobules. The interval 

 between the lobules is the inter- 

 lobular fissure, and the angular 

 interstices formed by the apposition 

 of several lobules are the interlobu- 

 lar spaces. 



The lobules of the centre of the 

 liver are angular, and somewhat 

 smaller than those of the surface, 

 from the greater compression to 

 which they are submitted. The 



superficial lobules are incomplete, and give to the surface of the organ 

 the appearance, and all the advantages resulting from an examination 

 of a transverse section. 



" Each lobule is composed of a plexus of bilary ducts, of a venous 

 plexus, formed by branches of the portal vein, of a branch (intralobular), 

 of an hepatic vein, and of minute arteries ; nerves and absorbents, it 

 is to be presumed, also enter into their formation, but cannot be traced 

 into them." " Examined with the microscope, a lobule is apparentlv 

 composed of numerous minute bodies of a yellowish colour, and of 

 various forms, connected with each other by vessels. These minute 

 bodies are the acini of Malpighi." " If an uninjected lobule be ex- 



* The lobules of the liver. The lobules as they are seen upon the surface of 

 the liver, or when divided transversely. 1 . The intralobular vein in the centre 

 of each lobule. 2. The interlobular fissure. 3. The interlobular space. 



f A longitudinal section of two lobules. 1. A superficial lobule, terminating 

 abruptly, and resembling a section at its extremity. 2 A deep lobule, shewing 

 the foliated appearance of its section. 3. The intralobular vein, with its con- 

 verging venules ; the vein terminates in a sublobular vein. 4. The external, or 

 capsular surface of the lobule. 



