common bile duct

Common bile duct
Digestive system diagram showing the common bile duct
The gall-bladder and bile ducts laid open.
Latin	ductus choledochus
Gray's	subject #250 1198

The common bile duct is a tube-like anatomic structure in the human gastrointestinal tract. It is formed by the union of the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct (from the gall bladder). It is later joined by the pancreatic duct to form the ampulla of Vater. There, the two ducts are surrounded by the muscular sphincter of Oddi.

When the sphincter of Oddi is closed, newly synthesized bile from the liver is forced into storage in the gall bladder. When open, the stored and concentrated bile exits into the duodenum. This conduction of bile is the main function of the common bile duct. The hormone cholecystokinin, when stimulated by a fatty meal, promotes bile secretion by increased production of hepatic bile, contraction of the gall bladder, and relaxation of the Sphincter of Oddi.

Several problems can arise within the common bile duct. If clogged by a gallstone, a condition called choledocholithiasis can result. In this clogged state, the duct is especially vulnerable to an infection called ascending cholangitis. Very rare deformities of the common bile duct are cystic dilations (4 cm), choledochoceles (cystic dilation of the ampula of Vater (3-8 cm)), and biliary atresia.

Additional images

Region of pancreas	The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the head viscera radiating from the ganglia.	Horizontal disposition of the peritoneum in the upper part of the abdomen.	Interior of the descending portion of the duodenum, showing bile papilla.
Inferior surface of the liver.	The pancreas and duodenum from behind.	The pancreatic duct.	The portal vein and its tributaries.
Liver and gallbladder

• S.E.Miederer et al.:Endoscopic transpapillary splitting of a choledochocele. Dtsch Med. Wochenschr. 1978 Feb.3:103(5):216,219. PMID 631041

External links

• SUNY Figs 38:06-08 - "The gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts."
• SUNY Anatomy Image 8336
• SUNY Anatomy Image 7957
• liver at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (biliarysystem)

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[[Category:Digestive system stubs

The digestive system is made up of the mouth (oral cavity), the esophagus, the stomach, the small and big intestine and the colon. The digestive system basically takes in food, breaks down food, absorbs nutrients and gets rid of waste. The process starts at the mouth, with the help of the teeth, tongue and salivary glands food is taken in and transferred to the esophagus. Next, food slowly moves down to the stomach as the esophagus contracts and relaxes called peristalsis movement. In the stomach food is stored temporarily until gastric juices break it down. Food that is broken down is called chyme. The small intestines is composed by three parts the duodenum, jejunum and the ileum. Chyme first enters the duodenum, then the jejunum and at last the ileum. The small intestine breaks down the chyme in order to absorb nutrients such as vitamins, minerals carbohydrates and proteins. The small intestine can’t do it by itself with the help of the pancreas enzymes, bile produced by the liver and gallbladder the process can be done. This process can last up to four hours. Food then passes to the large intestine. The large intestine is named by sections. The ascending colon going up, the transverse colon going horizontally, the descending colon going down, and sigmoid colon. This is the last chance to absorb any nutrients that our body needs. The digestive system is often known as the garbage space, this is because all the things the body does not need are disposed by the large intestine. The large intestine first absorbs fluids and sends them to the blood stream. Then whatever is leftover (waste) is turn into feces. It also secretes mucus in order to lubricate feces to ease its passage and protect the colon. The feces is then stored in the rectum until it ready to relax and dispose of it. Over all, the digestive process consists of ingestion, propulsion, mechanical digestion, chemical digestion, absorption and defecation.]]