The central vein of the liver lobule drains into which structure?

The central vein of the liver lobule drains into the hepatic vein. Here are the steps:

1. The liver lobule is the functional unit of the liver. Each lobule is shaped like a hexagon, and in the center of this hexagon is the central vein.

2. Around the edges of the lobule are portal triads, each of which consists of a bile duct, a hepatic artery, and a portal vein.

3. The hepatic artery and portal vein bring blood into the liver, which then flows through sinusoids (small blood vessels) in the lobule towards the central vein.

4. The central vein collects this blood and drains it into the hepatic vein.

5. The hepatic vein then carries this blood away from the liver and towards the inferior vena cava, which will return it to the heart.