Subdivision of hexagonal liver lobules into a structural and functional unit. Role in hepatic physiology and pathology

Comparative toxicity study of 2,4,5,2?,4?,5?-hexachlorobiphenyl and a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture in rabbits

“…The centrolobular damage was often zonal. This distribution can be explained by the concept of structural and functional hepatic unit (Rappaport et al, 1954). The presence of Perk positive material and ceroid pigment in Kupffer and parenchymal cells (characterized by a yellowbrownish fluorescence) was evidently less than in the preceding study and was limited to some necrotic areas.…”

The portal lobule in rat liver fibrosis: A re-evaluation of the liver unit

“…In the acinus concept portal inflow is thought to be linear, 13 while in the classic lobule it is thought to be surface-like. 15,[33][34][35][36] By injecting India ink into the portal vein of a well-perfused pig liver, we found sinusoidal networks receiving blood supply from septal branches (i.e., the TPBs of classic lobules) on the surface of classic lobules (Fig.…”

“…12 In 1954, Rappaport et al suggested the concept of a new unit, ''the liver acinus.'' 13 They asserted that by injecting ink or colored gelatin into the portal vein of some mammals such as rabbit, dog, and human, [13][14] they found rugby ball-shaped units grouped around terminal portal branches (TPBs) subdividing classic lobules. The liver acinus is divided into zones 1,2, and 3 according to the quality of portal blood.…”

Revelation of simple and complex liver acini after portal transplantation of pancreatic islets or thyroid follicles in rats

“…While the former is based on a structural point of view derived from the microanatomy of the liver of the pig, which is subdivided into hexagonal lobules by fibrous septa, the latter is described as a hierarchal model of microcirculatory units (simple and complex liver acini) developed by Rappaport after having studied the staining patterns following dye microinjections and the microanatomy of hepatic lesions. [6][7][8] Rappaport proposed the existence of an irregularly shaped simple liver acinus, made up by hepatocytes that drain the blood from a terminal portal vessel, the so-called terminal portal venule (TPV), which forms the central axis of the acinus, and from which a glomus of sinusoids branches off centrifugally. The venous blood is collected by draining hepatic venules (HV) in the periphery of these acini.…”