Wednesday's 'Word'

[DonnaBoll]

Hepatocytes - These are simply the cells of the liver. Each of these cells performs all of the functions of the liver - there is no difference in what any of them do for us. Liver failure occurs when there are not enough functioning hepatocytes to do all the functions they are required to do.

They become very important when levels of bilirubin build up in our bodies, but due to the bile duct damage, the bile backs up into the hepatocytes and leaks out into our blood causing jaundice.

Jaundice , although usually occurs in liver disease, it does not always have to be for that reason. It is a result of elevated bilirubin levels. Most patients who have PBC never get jaundiced. This occurs only in end stage liver disease.