[Embryonic development of the liver: basic biology and pediatric pathology].

At birth a number of children suffer from hepatic enzyme deficiencies or from biliary malformations. These diseases can be better understood, and in some instances better treated, with the help of knowledge gained from developmental biology studies. Here we review the key steps of liver development and illustrate how developmental biology can contribute to improve diagnosis and treatment of hepatic diseases, and at the same, time benefits from the input from clinical sciences.