Maksakudede

Maksakudede (Estonian for liver tissue) refers to the tissue that forms the liver, the organ responsible for metabolism, detoxification, bile production, and storage. The term is used in histology and medical literature to describe the hepatic parenchyma and its supporting stroma.

Microscopically, maksakudede is organized into hepatic lobules, typically hexagonal units with a central vein and a surrounding portal triad containing the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct. Hepatocytes form plates one to two cells thick, separated by sinusoidal capillaries.

The microenvironment includes non-parenchymal cells such as Kupffer cells (resident macrophages), hepatic stellate (Ito) cells, and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Bile canaliculi between hepatocytes collect bile, which drains into bile ducts.

Functions of maksakudede are diverse: carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism; xenobiotic detoxification via enzymes like cytochrome P450; bile synthesis and secretion; storage of glycogen, vitamins, and iron; synthesis of plasma proteins including clotting factors; immune surveillance.

The liver exhibits remarkable regenerative capacity; hepatocytes can proliferate after injury. Pathological changes in maksakudede include steatosis, hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, which can be diagnosed by liver biopsy and histological staining.