PATH 205.3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Gallbladder Cancer, Dna Virus, Bilirubin
Document Summary
Scenario: a 35-year old man presented with complaints of aching right upper quadrant abdominal pain of 2-weeks duration. He has been generally feeling unwell and tired and has lost some appetite. His wife tells him that the whites of his eyes are perhaps a little yellow. Liver damage interferes w/ these functions and is reflected in blood chemistry: the location of the damage gives an idea as to what damaged the liver. Defining structures of the liver: central vein and portal triad. Structure of the liver cells: hepatocytes w/ sinusoids: liver cells secrete bile and it goes to the spaces. Liver inflammation space is constricted venous outflow and bile is compromised. Jaundice = yellow discoloration of mucosa, skin, etc. due to bilirubin pigment deposition. The person has increased bilirubin in blood. Bilirubin is released after hemoglobin is destroyed (rbcs are recycled every 120 days/3 months): bilirubin is conjugated in the liver secreted in bile excreted in the stool.
