Histological Features

Pathogenesis of ductal plate malformation

“…This altered cell layer, which surrounds the future portal tract in a cylindrical fashion, has been termed ‘the ductal plate’ 5 . A second cell layer takes the same phenotype, thus creating a double epithelial cylinder of biliary cell type, which in reality is more complex and corresponds to a perforated double cylinder 6 . The ‘biliary’ double ductal plate thus comprises (i) a portal layer in contact with the peri(portal) venous mesenchyme; (ii) a lobular layer in continuity with the primitive parenchyma; and (iii) a narrow slit‐like lumen between these two layers 3…”