【Abstract】Objective To explore the distribution and migration of oval cells in progressive hepatic injury. Methods Sixty SD rats were divided into the control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=40). After the establishment of hepatic carcinoma models, C-kit was continuously detected by immunohistochemistry and the liver pathologic changes were regularly observed by optical microscopy.Results The hepatic surface was smooth with eumorphism in histology in the control group. The C-kit positive cells were occasionally found. In the experimental group, the oval cells with C-kit positive were initially discovered in the portal regions in the second week, and these cells proliferated along the bile duct epithelia. With the hepatic injury becoming more serious, the oval cells extended into the hepatic lobular regions from the portal regions. When hepatocellular carcinoma occurred，the majority were mixed carcinomas, and the oval cells were found inside and outside the carcinoma nodes. In this period, the most of C-kit positive cells still located in the portal regions. Conclusion ①The oval cells are the most sensitive cells for the hepatic injury. ②The oval cells which migrate unruly participate in the formation of hepatic pseudolobules. ③The oval cells play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis.