J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 100(6): 399-402, 1999

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Feature topic

BILIARY ATRESIA AND THE DEVELOPING HUMAN BILIARY SYSTEM AT THE PORTA HEPATIS

Due to recent advances in our understanding of the embryonic and fetal biliary system, two major findings have been obtained. The first, the concept that the common bile duct undergoes a solid phase, was found not to have sufficient evidence after extensive investigations of the embryonic and fetal human biliary systems. The second was that at least some cases biliary atresia may be caused by complete or partial persistence of the ductal plate structure. Further studies are needed to elucidate the aetiology and pathogenesis of the intractable disease from these points of view.

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