the three major vessels of the portal triad are the hepatic artery, hepatic portal vein and bile duct.
What is the location of the triad relative to the liver lobules?
The hepatic portal triad, also known as the portal triad or portal area, is a structure located at the periphery of each liver lobule. It is positioned at the corners of the lobule, where three major structures converge.
To better understand the location of the portal triad relative to the liver lobules, you can visualize a liver lobule as a hexagonal-shaped column that is composed of liver cells (hepatocytes) arranged in plates. At each corner of this hexagon, you will find a portal triad.
The portal triad consists of three major structures:
1. Hepatic artery: This is a branch of the common hepatic artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the liver. It delivers essential nutrients and oxygen that support the metabolic functions of the hepatocytes.
2. Hepatic portal vein: This is the major vein that carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs, such as the stomach, intestines, and spleen, to the liver. The blood in the portal vein contains various nutrients, toxins, and other substances absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Bile duct: Bile is a fluid produced by hepatocytes that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats. The bile duct collects bile from the hepatocytes and transports it towards the gallbladder or directly to the small intestine for the digestion and emulsification of fats.
So, in summary, the portal triad is located at the corners of the liver lobules and consists of the hepatic artery, hepatic portal vein, and bile duct.