156 THE ESSENTIALS OF HISTOLOGY 



lobular branches of the hepatic arteries join this capillary network a 

 short distance from the periphery of the lobule. 



The hepatic cells (fig. 189), which everywhere lie between and sur- 

 round the capillaries, are polyhedral, somewhat granular-looking cells, 



FIG. 189. SECTION OF RABBIT'S LIVEK WITH THE INTERCELLULAR NETWORK OF 

 BILE-CAN A LICU LI INJECTED. (Highly magnified.) (Hering.) 



Two or three layers of cells are represented ; b, b, blood-capillaries. 



each containing a spherical nucleus. After a meal, the cells in the 

 outer part of the lobule may become filled with fat, and masses of 

 glycogen can also frequently be seen within the cells. 



The bile-ducts commence between the hepatic cells in the form of 

 fine canaliculi, which lie between the adjacent sides of two cells, and 

 form a close network, the meshes of which correspond in size to the 

 cells (fig. 189). At the periphery of the lobule these fine canaliculi 

 pass into the interlobular bile-ducts (fig. 190), the columnar epithe- 

 lium-cells of which become, by a gradual transition, changed into 

 cubical and polyhedral cells, which join those of the hepatic lobules. 



The bile-ducts are lined by clear columnar epithelium (fig. 187, d]. 

 Outside this is a basement-membrane, and in the larger ducts some 

 fibrous and plain muscular tissue. Many of the larger ducts are beset 

 with small caeca! diverticula. 



The gall-bladder is in its general structure similar to the larger bile- 

 ducts. It is lined by columnar epithelium, and its wall is formed of 

 fibrous and muscular tissue. 



The lymphatics of the liver are said to commence as perivascular 

 lymphatic spaces enclosing the capillaries of the lobules. Efferent 

 lymphatics pass away from the organ in the connective tissue which 

 invests the portal and hepatic veins. 



