The hepatocyte is the primary cell of the liver and it makes up 70 to 80% of the liver mass and is involved in the liver’s key functions, including detoxification and metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids.
Hepatic sites are involved in the production of proteins, such as albumin, clotting factors and various complement factors and bile.
Hepatocytes can be infected by hepatatropic viruses, including hepatitis, a, B, C, D, and E.
The liver has the capacity to regenerate as the hepatocytes can re-enter the cell cycle from a quiescent phase.
With chronic liver disease hepatocytes can be displaced by fibrous tissue eventually leading to cirrhosis and liver failure.