Májlebenyeket

Májlebenyeket, in English referring to liver lobules, are the functional units of the liver. The mammalian liver is divided into numerous microscopic lobules, each typically hexagonal in shape. These lobules are the fundamental structural and functional components responsible for the liver's metabolic, detoxification, and synthesis functions.

Each májlebeny is organized around a central vein. Radiating outwards from this central vein are cords of hepatocytes, which are the primary cells of the liver. Between these cords are sinusoids, which are specialized blood vessels that carry blood from the portal vein and hepatic artery towards the central vein. Blood flowing through the sinusoids comes into close contact with hepatocytes, allowing for the exchange of nutrients, waste products, and other substances.

At the periphery of each májlebeny, at the corners of the hexagonal structure, are portal triads. A portal triad typically consists of a branch of the hepatic artery, a branch of the portal vein, and a bile duct. Bile produced by hepatocytes flows in the opposite direction of blood, moving from the central vein outwards towards the bile ducts in the portal triads, eventually collecting in the common hepatic duct.

The intricate arrangement of hepatocytes, sinusoids, and blood vessels within the májlebeny is crucial for the liver's diverse functions, including processing nutrients absorbed from the digestive system, detoxifying harmful substances, synthesizing proteins like albumin and clotting factors, and producing bile to aid in digestion. The microscopic architecture of the májlebeny is a testament to the liver's remarkable efficiency and complexity.