What are the key histological features of a healthy liver?
A healthy liver histology shows the following key features: hexagonal lobules with a central vein, radiating plates of hepatocytes, portal triads at the periphery of lobules consisting of a bile duct, portal vein, and hepatic artery branches, and a network of sinusoids lined by endothelial cells and Kupffer cells.
How is liver histology used to diagnose liver diseases?
Liver histology, through biopsy analysis, evaluates liver tissue for structural abnormalities, inflammation, fibrosis, and presence of pathogens. It helps diagnose liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease by assessing histopathological changes in liver architecture. This provides crucial information for determining disease severity and guiding treatment.
What is the significance of liver biopsy in assessing liver histology?
Liver biopsy is significant in assessing liver histology as it provides a direct examination of liver tissue. It helps diagnose liver diseases, assess the severity of liver damage, evaluate fibrosis or cirrhosis progression, and aids in determining treatment strategies and monitoring response to therapies.
How does liver histology change with chronic alcohol consumption?
Chronic alcohol consumption leads to liver histology changes, including steatosis (fat accumulation), inflammation, and fibrosis. Over time, this can progress to alcoholic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis, characterized by widespread liver scarring and nodular regeneration, altering the liver's normal architecture and impairing its function.
How does liver histology change with different types of hepatitis?
Liver histology changes in hepatitis vary by type; acute hepatitis shows inflammatory infiltrates, ballooning degeneration, and necrosis. Chronic hepatitis leads to portal inflammation and fibrosis. Hepatitis B and C can cause ground-glass hepatocytes and lymphoid aggregates. Autoimmune hepatitis may display plasma cell infiltrates.