[The origination and action of the hepatic stems cells].

Oval cells are small cells with scant cytoplasm and ovoid-shaped nuclei. These cells, probably deriving from the bone marrow or the cell population associated with the bone marrow, are activated hepatic stem cell. The morphological characteristic of the hepatic stem cells is similar to the oval cells and its biochemistry marker is c-kit/CD45/TRE19. In this paper, the knowledge about the hepatic stem cells and their functions responsible for liver development, liver regeneration, carcinogenesis and relation to other cell are reviewed.