The Gallbladder and the Biliary System

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts of the gallbladder and biliary system.

Biliary System

Consists of the right and left hepatic ducts, common hepatic duct, common bile duct, gallbladder, and cystic duct.

Hepatic Ducts

Ducts that carry bile from the liver to the common bile duct, formed by the union of bile canaliculi from liver lobules.

Common Bile Duct

Duct that carries bile from the gallbladder and liver to the duodenum; normal diameter is up to 6 mm.

Cystic Duct

Connects the gallbladder to the common hepatic duct, approximately 4 cm long and somewhat S-shaped.

Gallbladder

A pear-shaped sac that stores bile, located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

Heister Valves

Valves located in the neck of the gallbladder that prevent kinking of the cystic duct.

Cholecystectomy

Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

Cholelithiasis

The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.

Acute Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder typically caused by gallstones; characterized by right upper quadrant pain and positive Murphy's sign.

Porcelain Gallbladder

A rare condition characterized by calcification of the gallbladder wall, associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer.

Cholangiocarcinoma

Bile duct cancer; can present as intrahepatic or extrahepatic types with varying prognoses.

Mirizzi Syndrome

A condition caused by an impacted gallstone in the cystic duct, leading to extrinsic compression of the common hepatic duct.