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XIX. Microscopical Examination of the Contents of the Hepatic Ducts, with conclu- 
sions founded thereon as to the Physiological signification of the Cells of Hepatic 
Parenchyma, and as to their Anatomical relation to the Radicles of the Hepatic 
Ducts. By T. Wharton Jones, F.R.S. 
Received May 11, — Read May 25, 1848. 
1. In the contents of the larger branches of the hepatic duct, there are seen on 
microscopical examination, — 1st, detached columnar epithelium; 2nd, free nuclei, 
some round, some oval, about ^-^ooth of an inch in diameter; 3rd, minute granules, 
free or in amorphous flakes, globules of oil, and fragments of cell-walls. 
2. In the contents of smaller branches of the hepatic duct, I have repeatedly 
observed, in addition to the objects just enumerated, cells of a polygonal shape and 
about TiVd^h of an inch in diameter, containing round nuclei about ^.n 
inch in diameter, together with minute granules and globules of oil; cells, in short, 
identical with those of the parenchyma of the same liver, except that for the most 
part they were paler, on account of the contained granules and oil-globules being 
fewer and more minute. In some instances the cells were partially bioken up*. 
3. To assist us in interpreting the observation now related, and in coming to a 
conclusion therefrom as to the physiological signification of the cells of hepatic 
parenchyma, and as to their anatomical relation to the radicles of the hepatic duct, 
it will be useful to examine the contents of the duct of a gland the structure of 
which is well understood, such as the pancreas, and to compare them with the proper 
anatomical elements of the same gland. 
4. The proper anatomical elements of the pancreas, it is to be called to mind 
are, — 1st, vesicles composed of tunica propria opening into the radicles of the duct ; 
2nd, the endogenous cells of these vesicles, or the true secretory corpuscles. The 
endogenous or true secretory corpuscles are round granulous masses, about x^^th 
of an inch in diameter, containing in their interior a round nucleus about of 
an inch in diameter, and either altogether destitute of a cell- wall, or possessed of an 
imperfectly-formed one. 
5. In the contents of the pancreatic duct, there are found on microscopical 
* The human liver and the sheep’s liver, principally the former, were the subjects of examination. The 
contents of the duct were taken up for examination by means of a small microseopical forceps passed from the 
larger branches in the transverse fissure of the liver towards the smaller imbedded in the substance of the 
organ. In this way I believe the accidental admixture of hepatic cells from a cut surface of the liver, with the 
contents of the ducts, was effectually guarded against. 
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