What does the liver acinus do? How does it allow the liver to function?

Question

Lucas Aguilar · Accepted Answer

A liver acinus is the functional unit of the liver, comprising all liver parenchyma supplied by a terminal branch of the portal vein and hepatic artery.

Usually, it involves two lobule segments that are situated between two terminal heptic venules. Because it is oriented around the afferent vascular system, it is relevant to hepatic function. The acinus is made up of a mass of hepatocytes that are roughly ellipsoidal in shape and are arranged around the portal venules and hepatic arterioles. Hepatocytes closest to the arterioles have the best oxygenation, while those farteset from the arterioles have the poorest. This arrangement means that cells in the center of the acinus are the first to see and potentially absorb blood borne toxins into the portal blood from the small intestine. The acinus is roughly divided into zones that correspond to distance from the arterial blood supply.

Chloe Adams · Answer

undefined The liver acinus is a functional unit of the liver responsible for various metabolic activities, including detoxification, metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, and synthesis of bile. It allows the liver to efficiently process blood by receiving blood from both the hepatic artery and the portal vein, which supply oxygenated blood and nutrient-rich blood, respectively. The acinus is divided into zones, allowing for specialized metabolic activities to occur efficiently.