382 PRACTICAL ANATOMY. 



Each lobule is surrounded by a plexus of the inter- 

 lobular veins, which send off the lobular capillaries. 

 These make an intricate net-work in the interior of the 

 lobule, but ultimately empty into the intralobular vein, 

 which runs from apex to base, through the axis of the 

 lobule and empties into the sublobular vein. The bases 

 of the lobules are applied to the sublobular veins, and 

 these become the common drain for the lobules. The 

 interspaces between the lobular capillaries are occupied 

 by the hepatic cells, which are spheroidal in form and 

 are about -J^TF inch in diameter. They consist of 

 a sponge-work of protoplasm containing one or more 

 distinct nuclei. The cell is devoid of cell- wall. The 

 nuclei present bright nucleoli. The substance of the 

 cell presents biliary coloring matter and oil-globules. 

 The bile-ducts begin as intercellular passages, which 

 probably open on the periphery of the lobule and form 

 the interlobular plexuses, which may be considered to be 

 the real commencement of the hepatic duct. 



THE GALL-BLADDER. 



The gall-bladder is situated in the fissure for the gall- 

 bladder, and, when moderately distended, is pear-shaped, 

 the large end of the pear projecting beyond the anterior 

 border of the liver. It is about four inches long, one 

 inch broad, and will hold from an ounce to an ounce 

 and a half. It is held in position by the peritoneum. 

 It presents a broad anterior end, the fundus, the body, 

 and the neck. It has four coats : serous, muscular, 

 fibrous, and mucous. The internal or mucous coat is 

 tinged a bright yellow, and presents numerous wrinkles, 

 which give it some resemblance to a honey-comb. Near 

 the neck the mucous membrane forms valvular folds. The 

 gall-bladder is lined by columnar epithelium. The ductus 





