Perisinusoidal space
| Perisinusoidal space | |
|---|---|
 Sinusoid of a rat liver with fenestrated endothelial cells. Fenestrae are approx 100 nm diameter, and the sinusoidal width 5 µm. Scanning electron micrograph by Robin Fraser, University of Otago. | |
 Basic liver structure | |
| Details | |
| Location | Liver |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | spatium perisinusoideum |
| TH | H3.04.05.0.00012 |
| Anatomical terms of microanatomy | |
The perisinusoidal space (or space of Disse) is a location in the liver between a hepatocyte and a sinusoid. It contains the blood plasma. Microvilli of hepatocytes extend into this space, allowing proteins and other plasma components from the sinusoids to be absorbed by the hepatocytes. Fenestration and discontinuity of the endothelium facilitates this transport.[1] The perisinusoidal space also contains hepatic stellate cells (also known as Ito cells), which store fat or fat soluble vitamins including vitamin A).[citation needed]
This space may be obliterated in liver disease, leading to decreased uptake by hepatocytes of nutrients and wastes such as bilirubin.
The Space of Disse is named for the German anatomist Joseph Disse (1852–1912).[2]
Pathophysiology
[edit]Fibrosis
[edit]Hepatic cell injury and consequent inflammatory response (which may arise due to various insults) promotes proliferation of hepatic fibroblasts as well as transformation of stellate cells into myofibroblasts. These then secrete extracellular matrix components (various collagens, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins) into the perisinusoidal space (i.e. hepatic fibrosis) which results in increased resistance to blood flow in the sinusoids (which may result in portal hypertension), and impaired substance exchange between sinusoidal blood and hepatocytes (which may result in chronic liver failure). The excess extracellular matrix may be cleared as the causative insult subsides and the liver parenchyma regenerates with appropriate macrostructure if injury is limited to the center of the liver lobules; when injury affects entire liver lobules, fibrous septa form, impeding structural restoration and promoting nodule formation (cirrhosis) instead.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Robbins, Stanley L.; Cotran, Ramzi S.; Kumar, Vinay; Collins, Tucker (1999). Robbins pathologic basis of disease. Philadelphia: Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-7335-X.
- ^ Haubrich WS (2004). "Disse of the space of Disse". Gastroenterology. 127 (6): 1684. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2004.10.021. PMID 15578505.
- ^ Silbernagl, Stefan; Lang, Florian (2009). Color Atlas of Pathophysiology (2nd ed.). Thieme. p. 186. ISBN 978-3-13-116552-7. OCLC 439472713.
External links
[edit]- UIUC Histology Subject 1317
- Histology image: 22103loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University - "Ultrastructure of the Cell: hepatocytes and sinusoids, sinusoid and space of Disse"
- Histology image: 15204loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University - "Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas: liver; sinusoids and Kupffer cells"
- Anatomy photo: digestive/mammal/liver5/liver7 - Comparative Organology at University of California, Davis - "Mammal, liver (EM, Low)"