IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Hepatic functional unit

Case contributed by Brian Gilcrease-Garcia
Diagnosis not applicable

Normal lobule

Diagram

The hepatic functional unit commonly shown as the classic hepatic lobule: hexagonal, with portal triads (artery, portal vein, bile duct) approximately positioned at the corners, and a central draining vein.

Blood flows from the periphery of the lobule, supplied by portal and arterial vessels, centrally toward the draining vein in the following order:

  • zone 1 (periportal)
  • zone 2 (intermediate)
  • zone 3 (central, perivenular)
Diagram

Stages of fibrosis in hepatitis:

  • F0 (not shown) - no fibrosis
  • F1 - fibrous expansion of portal triad
  • F2 - fibrous septa extending from portal triad
  • F3 - bridging fibrous septa extending from portal triad to central vein
  • F4 - cirrhosis

Case Discussion

The specific histologic patterns of fibrosis vary according to the etiology. The pattern depicted here is classic for fibrosis induced by chronic viral hepatitis.

Alcoholic and adult non-alcoholic steatohepatitis begin with fibrosis adjacent to central vein, progressing in perisinusoidal pattern, eventually forming bridging septa and at end-stage often indistinguishable from viral hepatitis pattern (not shown).

 

Attribution

Portion of this image uses an image from "Human Physiology", Luciani, Luigi, 1842-,Welby, Frances A. (Frances Alice),Camis, Marie,Holmes, Gordon, Sir, 1876-1965,Pembrey, M. S. (Marcus Seymour), 1868-1934. https://archive.org/stream/humanphysiology02luci/humanphysiology02luci#page/133/mode/1up

The copyright is in the public domain because it has expired.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.