Lobule

Lobule is a term used in anatomy to describe a small lobe or a subdivision of a lobe. In the context of medicine, lobules are often referred to in relation to the liver, lungs, and breasts, among other organs.

Anatomy

In the liver, lobules are the functional units of the organ, each consisting of a central vein surrounded by plates of hepatocytes, the liver's main cell type. These plates are separated by sinusoids, which are small blood vessels that carry blood to the central vein.

In the lungs, lobules are small divisions of the lungs that contain a bronchiole and its associated alveoli. The alveoli are the sites of gas exchange in the lungs, where oxygen is taken up into the blood and carbon dioxide is removed.

In the breasts, lobules are the milk-producing glands. Each breast typically contains 15 to 20 lobes, each of which is made up of many smaller lobules.

Clinical significance

In the context of disease, the term lobule can refer to a portion of an organ that is affected by a particular condition. For example, in breast cancer, a lobular carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the milk-producing lobules of the breast.

In liver disease, the structure and function of the liver's lobules can be affected. For example, in cirrhosis, the normal structure of the liver's lobules is disrupted, leading to impaired liver function.

See also

• Lobe (anatomy)
• Liver
• Lungs
• Breasts

Lobule Resources
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