Caption

Liver capillary. Coloured scanning electron micro- graph (SEM) of a freeze-fractured section through liver tissue showing a hepatic capillary, or sinusoid. Several red blood cells (erythrocytes, red) and two white blood cells (white) are seen in the sinusoid. Sinusoids receive blood from the intestines (through the hepatic portal vein) and from the heart (through the hepatic artery). These supply the liver cells (hepatocytes) with nutrients and oxygen respectively. The hepatocytes help to regulate fat and sugar levels in the blood. Magnification unknown.