Hepatocytes

Definition

Hepatocytes are the main functional cells of the liver, responsible for carrying out a wide range of biochemical activities essential for digestion, metabolism, and detoxification. These cells play a pivotal role in processing nutrients, producing bile, and breaking down toxins.

Related terms

Bile:

A digestive fluid produced by hepatocytes that aids in the emulsification and absorption of fats in the small intestine.

Metabolism:

The set of life-sustaining chemical transformations within the cells of living organisms, with hepatocytes playing a crucial role in many metabolic processes.

Detoxification: The process of removing toxic substances from the body, a key function performed by hepatocytes in the liver