The acinus is a unit that contains a small portal tract at the center and terminal hepatic venules at the periphery. It is the smallest functional unit and is divided into zones 1, 2, and 3, wherein zone 1 surrounds the portal tract and zone 3 surrounds the hepatic venule.

What occurs in hepatic acinus zones?

Most oxygenated blood is found in the centre of the acinus around the portal triad (Zone 1). This zone is most susceptable to damage from toxins carried to the liver in the hepatic portal vein. Most of the metabolic activity of the liver takes place here.

What is the function of liver acinus?

The acinus is the functional unit of the liver. Obviously the liver cells close to the terminal portal vein receive a blood richer in oxygen and nutrients than those located near the central vein,therefore the cells in these different zones perform different biochemical functions.