ABSTRACT
The anatomical relationships of the liver, biliary system and pancreas are shown in Figure 12.1 . In the liver, arterial blood enters the sinusoids via the hepatic arterioles, and this blood mixes with that entering via the portal venules. The deoxygenated blood of the portal system is rich with all the nutrients that have been absorbed from the bowel. In addition, it will contain low levels of toxins, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of bacteria. From the sinusoid, blood drains into the central vein and the hepatic vein. Bile is secreted by the hepatocytes into the intercellular canaliculi, and drains via the ductules into the tributaries of the bile duct.
