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Hepatocytes

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Molecular Pathology of Liver Diseases

Part of the book series: Molecular Pathology Library ((MPLB,volume 5))

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Abstract

The ability of the liver to regenerate was recognized by the Greeks in the ancient myth of Prometheus, the Titan god of forethought, who gave fire to the mortals and angered Zeus. Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day [1]. In contrast to other solid organs, the human liver has the unique ability to regenerate after toxic injury, chronic inflammation, and surgical resection and is able to restore its original mass, cellular structure and functions [1–3].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine/Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez

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  1. Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
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  2. Nalu Navarro-Alvarez
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  3. Naoya Kobayashi
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Correspondence to Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Dept. Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, S421-BST, Pittsburgh, 15261, Pennsylvania, USA

    Satdarshan P. S. Monga

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Soto-Gutierrez, A., Navarro-Alvarez, N., Kobayashi, N. (2011). Hepatocytes. In: Monga, S. (eds) Molecular Pathology of Liver Diseases. Molecular Pathology Library, vol 5. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7107-4_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7107-4_3

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