276 



ANATOMY FOR NURSES 



[Chap. XIV 



Hepatic cells. — Thev are about i-q\s of an inch in diameter, 

 but because of compression are very irregular in shape. They 

 are epitheHal cells composed of protoplasm, with a single clear 

 nucleus, but no cell-wall. 





Fio. 162. — Lobule of Rabbit's Liver, Vessels and Bile Ducts Injected. 

 a, central or intralobular vein ; b, b, interlobular veins ; c, interlobular bile duct. 



The portal vein. — The portal vein, after entering the liver, 

 divides into a vast number of branches which form a network 

 surrounding each lobule, and hence are known as interlobular 

 (between the lobules). From this network minute capillaries 

 enter the lobule, penetrate between each cell and thus surround 

 them, so that each cell is generously supplied with blood con- 

 taining the raw material for the manufacture of bile. These 

 capillary branches which enter the lobule and surround the cells 



