Biology Option D-3 mindmap
Name of the three blood vessels associated with the liver
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hepatic vein
hepatic artery
hepatic portal vein
Description of the functions of the three blood
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the hepatic vein returns low-oxygen blood from your liver back to the heart. The veins are key players in the supply chain that moves the blood that delivers nutrients and oxygen to every cell in your body.
the hepatic artery provides oxygen and nutrition to the liver
the hepatic portal vein carries blood to the liver from the intestines, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder
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Description of the content of the three blood vessels associated with liver
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hepatic vein carries blood from the liver onto the heart with levels of food adjusted
The hepatic artery brings oxygenated blood to the liver
the hepatic portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the intestines to the liver
Advantages of dual blood supply to the liver
increase blood supply to the liver
maintain normal liver regeneration in patients with compromised portal vein
Description of the structure and function of sinusoids
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The two blood vessels that carry blood into the capillaries of the liver are called sinusoids.
All sinusoids are then drained by the hepatic vein, which is the sole blood vessel taking deoxygenated blood away from the liver.
Oxygen-rich blood from the hepatic artery and nutrient-rich blood from the hepatic portal vein both flow into sinusoids of the liver.
Sinusoids are where exchanges occur between the blood and the hepatocytes
Difference between sinusoids and blood capillaries
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Sinusoids receive a mixture of oxygenated blood and nutrient-rich blood, and this mixture eventually drains into small branches of the hepatic vein.
Sinusoids contain Kupffer cells that help break down hemoglobin released from ‘older’ erythrocytes for recycling cell components
Sinusoids are wider than capillaries.
Sinusoids are lined by endothelial cells with gaps between them, allowing large molecules like proteins to be exchanged between hepatocytes and the bloodstream.
Hepatocytes are in direct contact with blood components, making all exchanges with the bloodstream more efficient
