Liver cell shapes and types, illustration. The liver regulates levels of the main chemicals in the blood. The liver structure is such that individual cells are arranged, by shape, like building blocks, into cords that are a single cell thick. This creates a surface for maximum contact with the blood which flows between these cell networks. Here, a round nucleus can be seen in each cell; the cell membrane is angular and fits the shape of other cells; tiny bile capillaries or cholangioles (green) collect bile released by each cell. Cholangioles join to form bile ducts. The complex function of liver cells includes making blood plasma proteins, and flushing out blood toxins as bile.