Wright's stain, 400x

Cells obtained from a fine needle aspirate of the normal liver have a uniform appearance, though a slight variation in nuclear size can be noted, and cells will be arranged in clumps due to their epithelial nature. The moderately abundant cytoplasm will be finely granular and basophilic to amphiphilic. The cell’s nucleus will be rounded, located in the centre, or slightly eccentrically, and can contain a prominent round nucleolus. Occasionally, a binucleated cell can be observed. A fine needle aspirate of the normal liver should not contain hepatocytes with vacuoles or an accumulation of pigment (such as bile, which would indicate cholestasis. Click here to observe hepatic lipidosis. Click here to observe hepatocytes with an accumulation of glycogen.