Liver

Abstract

The liver develops from a branching diverticular outpouching of the foregut in the fifth to seventh weeks of development. This gives rise to the hepatic cords, the secretory tubules of the liver, and the primary hepatic ducts. Fully developed, the liver is the largest parenchymal organ in the body and accounts for approximately 4% to 5% of the total body weight. © 2008 Springer New York.