Perinodular arteriolar plexus in liver cirrhosis. Scanning electron microscopy of microvascular casts

Abstract

The blood supply to regenerative nodules in liver cirrhosis was studied by scanning electron microscopy of microvascular casts. Cirrhotic nodules are surrounded by many arterioles with rich anastomoses that form a perinodular arteriolar plexus: these arterioles connect with sinusoids in the nodules. The portal vein branches, on the contrary, are distorted and compressed by connective tissue. These findings illustrate how the regenerative nodules in liver cirrhosis are mainly nourished by hepatic arterial blood via a perinodular arteriolar plexus.