298 



THE ORGANS 



between two contiguous liver cells, in each of which a groove is formed 

 (Figs. 200, 202.) The blood capillaries, on the other hand, are found 

 at the corners where three or more liver cells come in contact (Fig. 

 200). It thus results that bile tubules and blood capillaries rarely 

 lie in contact, but are regularly separated by part of a liver cell. 

 Exceptions to this rule sometimes occur. While most of the secretory 

 tubules anastomose, some of them end blindly either between the 

 liver cells or, in some instances, after extending a short distance 

 within the cell protoplasm (Fig. 199, A). At the surface of the 

 lobule there is a modification of some of the liver cells to a low 

 cuboidal type, and these become continuous with the lining cells of 

 the smallest bile ducts, the secretory tubule being continuous with 

 the duct lumen. 



■-WiW' 



• , Fig. 203. — Liver Lobule, to show Connective-tissue Framework. (Mall.) 



Special methods of technic have demonstrated a connective-tissue 

 framework within the lobule. This consists of a reticulum of ex- 

 tremely delicate fibrils which envelop the capillary blood-vessels, and 

 of^ a smaller number of coarser fibres which radiate from the region 

 of the central vein^ — radiate fibres (Fig. 203). 



Special technical methods also show the presence of stellate 



