Hepatocytes

Hepatocytes are the predominant cell type in the liver. An estimated 80% of the liver mass is made of these cells. The hepatocytes are round in shape containing a nucleus and an abundance of cellular organelles associated with metabolic and secretory functions.

Organelles include endoplasmic reticulum (smooth and rough) and Golgi apparatus for secretory functions. Also there are high numbers of mitochondria to provide energy to support the many metabolic functions on the liver.

Some of the hepatocytes lie adjacent to endothelial cells which form the walls of the sinusoids. These two cell types are separated by small space called the space of Disse.