  In this paper we construct the main algebraic and differential properties and
the weight functions of orthogonal polynomial solutions of bivariate
second--order linear partial differential equations, which are admissible
potentially self--adjoint and of hypergeometric type. General formulae for all
these properties are obtained explicitly in terms of the polynomial
coefficients of the partial differential equation, using vector matrix
notation. Moreover, Rodrigues representations for the polynomial eigensolutions
and for their partial derivatives of any order are given. Finally, as
illustration, these results are applied to specific Appell and Koornwinder
orthogonal polynomials, solutions of the same partial differential equation.
