STRUCTURE OF THE LIVER. 



305 



it to the liver, through, which it is distributed by the sub- 

 divisions of this vessel, which acts the part of an artery 

 ( 267). Its branches proceed to the surfaces of the lobules, 

 amidst which they form by mutual inosculation a tolerably 

 regular network (fig. 170, 6, 6, 6); and from these branches a 



Fig. 170. TRANSVERSE SECTION OF THREE LOBULES OF THE LIVER; 



Showing the passage of the ramifications of the portal vessels from the network 

 b b bb, which surrounds the lobules, towards the centre of each lobule, near 

 which they become continuous with the rootlets a a a of the hepatic veins. 



set of capillary twigs proceeds inwards towards the centre of 

 each lobule, traversing in their course its aggregation of 

 secreting cells. These capillaries finally terminate in the 

 rootlets of the hepatic veins, which diverge from the centre of 

 each lobule (fig. 170, a, a, a), and which collect the blood 

 that has traversed its capillary system, to transmit it through 

 larger trunks into the Vena Cava ( 266), and thence to the 

 heart. The liver is also supplied with arterial blood by the 

 Hepatic artery ; but this seems to have for its function rather 

 to nourish the solid tissues of the organ, than to supply the 

 materials for secretion. The bile-ducts, which convey away 

 the fluid that is elaborated by the hepatic cells, appear to form 

 a network which surrounds the lobules, connecting them 

 together and sending branches towards the interior of each 

 (fig. 171). It is still doubtful, however, whether they extend 

 through the entire substance of the lobules, and whether the 



