Foetal Liver

As embryological development progresses during pregnancy haematopoiesis shifts from the yolk sac and aorta-gonad-mesonephros region (AGM) to the foetal liver and spleen. Haematopoietic areas form in the liver which become the main haematopoietic organ in the body. Erythropoiesis is the dominant process but some leukopoiesis occurs so the foetal liver can be considered a primary lymphoid organ.

Originally funded by the RVC Jim Bee Award 2007