Correlation 11: Liver with alcoholism

Note the clear round vacuoles that fill many of the hepatocytes. A portal triad is present in the center of the picture.

The normal liver is involved in a variety of metabolic functions, including storage and release of glucose, processing of lipoproteins such as cholesterol, and removal of waste products from the blood. Injury to the hepatocytes reduces the function of the liver. The liver contains an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase that can normally metabolize a small amount of alcohol. This occurs at a constant rate, which is why when persons drink more alcohol, the level of alcohol in their blood goes up. Increased levels of alcohol are toxic to hepatocytes. Persons who consume a significant amount of alcohol can have a variety of injuries to the liver. One of the first forms of injury to appear is the accumulation of lipid (fat) in the hepatocytes. This process is termed steatosis. The hepatocytes filled with lipid are less functional.