Hepatic diverticulum grows from the
duodenum into the ventral mesentery
ÿ
Begins ~ week 4
ÿ
Divides into cranial
and caudal buds.
ÿ
Cranial bud grows
faster and becomes
the hepatic
parenchyma;
l
Hematopoietic
colonists arrive ~
week 6
ÿ
Caudal bud gives
rise to the biliary
system.