Intrahepatic lymphatics in the human fetus.

Graphic reconstruction of dilated intrahepatic lymphatics in a 36 week old fetus displayed an anastomosing network of channels with intraluminal valves. Examination of the liver in 42 fetuses between the gestational age of 15 to 40 weeks showed that lymph vessels were visible as early as the 15th week. The detection of intrahepatic lymphatics was not related to the weight of the liver, the underlying cause of death, gender, or congenital anomalies.