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The ductal plate is an embryologic structure, which initially consists of a sheath of cells surrounding the hilar portal vein branches. During development, the ductal plate reorganizes and progresses peripherally leading to the formation of bile ducts and ductules. In normal development, the remaining regions of the ductal plate regress. When the ductal plate fails to regress, these embryologic structures persist, with the potential to become massively dilated and manifest as cystic lesions that are in connection with the biliary tree.

Ductal plate abnormalities can manifest in several ways histologically and radiographically including Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis (CHF), Caroli syndrome, and Caroli disease.