part of intrahepatic cholangiocyte 2011-02-28T01:20:20Z ZFA:0009379 https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002538 An epithelial cell of the intrahepatic portion of the bile duct. These cells are flattened or cuboidal in shape, and have a small nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio relative to large/extrahepatic cholangiocytes. small bile duct cholangiocyte Intrahepatic cholangiocytes represent a subset of the biliary epithelial cells that form a network of tubes in the liver called the biliary tree The intrahepatic cholangiocytes reside specifically in the intrahepatic bile ducts and play a crucial role in liver physiology and bile production and secretion, thereby aiding in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. These specific cholangiocytes arise from bipotent hepatoblasts, whereas extrahepatic cholangiocytes share an embryologic origin with the ventral pancreas. Recent research suggests that there is also heterogeneity within populations of intrahepatic cholangiocytes with different transcriptional profiles, proliferative capacity, and biological function; for example, subpopulations differ in calcium-mobilizing receptors. The primary function of intrahepatic cholangiocytes is related to bile formation and maintenance of its flow. In addition to their secretory and absorptive activities, they are involved in the regulation of bile composition, volume, and alkalinization, contributing to the neutralization of the acidic chyme (partly digested food) that enters the intestine from the stomach. Intrahepatic cholangiocytes are also recognized for their role in liver regeneration and repair, often proliferating in response to injury. Intrahepatic cholangiocytes take part in certain pathological conditions, like primary biliary cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma. Changes in these cells often lead to abnormalities in bile formation and transport, causing cholestatic liver diseases. Overall, the primary and secondary functional activities of intrahepatic cholangiocytes are vital in maintaining liver function, digestive processes, and contributing to the body's response to liver injury. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) cholangiocyte intrahepatic bile duct epithelium