Anatomy · Embryology and Genetics

Development of pancreas and hepatobiliary system

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  • Liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas develop from endodermal buds arising near the foregut-midgut junction, from the 3rd week of intrauterine life (IUL).

Development of the Liver

  • Hepatic bud divides into pars hepatica (forms the liver) and pars cystica (forms gallbladder and cystic duct); pars hepatica further divides into right and left lobes of the liver.

Embryonic origin of the liver

Embryonic structure

Hepatic bud (endoderm)

Adult derivative
Liver parenchyma; bile canaliculi and bile ductules

Vitelline and umbilical veins in septum transversum

Adult derivative
Liver sinusoids

Septum transversum (mesoderm)

Adult derivative
Connective tissue stroma incl. Glisson capsule, peritoneal covering, Kupffer cells, hemopoietic cells, blood vessels