The hepatic lobule can also be defined as a region of hepatic tissue that is served by a single:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: central vein. The hepatic lobule is a structural unit of the liver, consisting of hepatocytes arranged in a hexagonal pattern around a central vein. Hepatocytes receive oxygenated blood from the hepatic artery and nutrient-rich blood from the portal vein. These blood vessels merge within the lobule, and the blood flows towards the central vein. Bile produced by hepatocytes drains into bile canaliculi and eventually into bile ducts, which are not directly associated with defining the hepatic lobule. Therefore, the central vein is the correct answer as it is the vessel that receives blood from the sinusoids in the lobule.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: breakdown of hemoglobin. Hepatocytes do not breakdown hemoglobin; this function occurs primarily in the spleen. A: drug detoxification is correct as the liver metabolizes and detoxifies drugs. B: protein synthesis is also correct as hepatocytes produce various proteins. C: gluconeogenesis is correct as the liver can synthesize glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. Therefore, the breakdown of hemoglobin is the only function not performed by hepatocytes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The gall bladder is best understood as a specialized region of a duct. It stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, releasing it into the small intestine for digestion. The gall bladder is anatomically connected to the bile duct system. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the gall bladder is not a lymph node (A), adipose tissue (C), or hepatocyte parenchyma (D). The gall bladder's main function is related to bile storage and release, making it a specialized region of a duct system.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pancreatoduodenectomy. The Whipple procedure involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, a portion of the duodenum, the gallbladder, and part of the bile duct. Therefore, it is also known as a Pancreatoduodenectomy. A: Cholangiopancreatography is a diagnostic imaging technique to visualize the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts, not a surgical procedure. C: Cholangiogram is an imaging test to visualize the bile ducts, not a surgical procedure. D: Cholecystogram is an imaging test to visualize the gallbladder, not a surgical procedure.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Amylase. Amylase is an enzyme that specifically breaks down starches into maltose through hydrolysis. It is produced in the salivary glands and pancreas. Lipase (B) breaks down lipids, Trypsinogen (C) is a precursor to trypsin which digests proteins, and Pepsin (D) is an enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect for breaking down starches into maltose.