lobules of liver

lobules of liver

[TA]

the conceptual polygonal histologic unit of the liver consisting of masses of liver cells arranged around a central vein, a terminal branch of one of the hepatic veins; at the periphery are located preterminal and terminal branches of the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct; hepatic lobules have anatomic reality in pig liver or pathologically in humans, when fibrous septa are present.

Synonym(s): lobulus hepatis [TA], hepatic lobule

lob·ules of liver

(lob'yūlz liv'ĕr) [TA]

The conceptual polygonal histologic unit of the liver, consisting of masses of liver cells arranged around a central vein, a terminal branch of one of the hepatic veins; at the periphery are located preterminal and terminal branches of the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct; in the human liver, hepatic lobules are distinguishable only when fibrous septa are present as a result of disease.
Synonym(s): lobulus hepatis [TA] , hepatic lobule.