A Histological Study of the Structural and Functional Unit of the Liver of the Mouse: I. on the Distribution of Mitochondria

ABSTRACT

The hepatic structural and functional unit of the mouse was demonstrated by quantitative distribution of mitochondria in preparations which were cut serially 5 micra thick after embedding in paraffin and stained with Heidenhain's iron hematoxylin. In the hepatic structure of the mouse there were three different geometrical areas the perivascular area of the portal stem, which continued to the preterminal portal branch, of the preterminal vein and of the terminal portal twig, which were considered to be the real functional unit and extended into the neighbouring hepatic lobules. Mitochondria of the hepatic cells were contained in the perivascular portion adjacent to the portal vessels and were deposited less toward the peripheral portion of the portal vessels. The pericentral area of the central vein in the hepatic lobule or the structural unit, and the perivascular area of the sublobular vein corresponded to the peripheral zone of the actual functional unit described above.