Anatomy and Physiology of the Bile Ducts

bile is a

vital digested fluid that is produced by the liver

— is a major component in bile

cholesterol

the key elements of cholesterol

bilirubin, biliverdin, and bile acids

the function of the biliary tree

is to provide a conduit for bile to drain from the liver into the small intestine

bile first accumulates in the

small intrahepatic biliary radicles that are located throughout the liver

the small intrahepatic biliary radicles are scattered throughout the liver parenchyma and are part

of the portal triads

ech portal triad contains

a small branch of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and intrahepatic ducts (biliary radicles)

from these small biliary radicles, bile flows into either

the right or left hepatic duct

the left and right hepatic ducts eventually unite to form the

common hepatic duct

from the common hepatic duct, the bile travels only a short distance to the

gallbladder, where it is concentrated and stored

the gallbladder is connected to the biliary tree by the

cystic duct

the point of attachment of the cystic duct to the gallbladder marks the proximal margin of the

common bile duct

the cystic duct contains tiny structures called the

spiral valves of heister

the spiral valves of heister prevent the cystic duct from

collapsing or distending

when stimulated by cholecystokinin— produced by the duodenum— the gallbladder contracts and

empties bile into the biliary tree at the level of the proximal common bile duct

bile travels from the common bile duct towards the — where it meets the — at the — or hepatopancreatic ampulla

duodenum; main pancreatic duct; ampulla of vater

at the ampulla of vater, the pancreatic juices and bile are

mized together

The sphincter of oddi, also referred to as

the hepatopancreatic sphincter

the sphincter of oddi is the

opening that allows bile and pancreatic juices to flow into the duodenum

the fluid is mixed with — in the duodenum and appropriate reactions ensue

chyme

bile flow =

liver → biliary radicles → right or left hepatic ducts → common hepatic duct → cystic duct → gallbladder → common bile duct → ampulla of vater → sphincter of oddi → duodenum