Name the structural and functional unit of the liver.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks for the structural and functional unit of the liver. This implies that we need to identify a specific component of the liver that serves both a structural and functional role.

2. **Identifying the Unit**: The structural and functional unit of the liver is known as the hepatic lobule. This is a key concept in understanding liver anatomy and physiology.

3. **Description of Hepatic Lobules**: Hepatic lobules are small, hexagonally-shaped structures that make up the liver. Each lobule is composed of liver cells, known as hepatocytes, arranged around a central vein.

4. **Microscopic Scale**: Hepatic lobules are defined at a microscopic scale, meaning they can only be observed under a microscope due to their small size.

5. **Hexagonal Structure**: Each hepatic lobule has a hexagonal shape, with a central vein at its center and portal triads (which consist of a branch of the hepatic artery, a branch of the portal vein, and a bile duct) located at each corner of the hexagon.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the answer to the question is that the structural and functional unit of the liver is the hepatic lobule.

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