The structure of the liver’s functional units, or lobules. Blood enters the lobules through branches of the portal vein and hepatic artery, then flows through small channels called sinusoids that are lined with primary liver cells (i.e., hepatocytes). The hepatocytes remove toxic substances, including alcohol, from the blood, which then exits the lobule through the central vein (i.e., the hepatic venule).

Source: Cunningham, C.C., and Van Horn, C.G. Energy availability and alcohol-related liver pathology. Alcohol Research & Health 27(4):281–299, 2003.

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Prepared: February 2005