The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are major organs associated with the digestive tract that promote digestion and transport of food. These organs produce a variety of secretory products, such as enzymes and hormones that aid in the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients.

The learning objectives for this unit are:

• Identify the microarchitecture and cell types of the liver and how these relate to the arterial and portal venous vasculature and the production of bile.
• Identify the characteristic microarchitecture and cell types of the gallbladder and its duct system.
• Identify the characteristic microarchitecture and cell types of the pancreas and its associated exocrine (including ducts) and endocrine components.
  
   

Detail of the hepatic lobule is next.