What is the bile duct?

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The bile duct is called the common bile duct. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a short tube that carries bile to the duodenum.

Summary

The bile duct is called the common bile duct. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a short tube that carries bile to the duodenum.

What it is

  • A short tube that carries bile to the duodenum.
  • Formed by the union of the hepatic duct (from the liver) and the cystic duct (from the gallbladder).
  • Joins the pancreatic duct just before entering the duodenum.

Where it is

  • In the upper right of the abdomen.
  • Runs behind the first part of the duodenum and through the head of the pancreas.
  • Opens into the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla.

Sources

According to Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918, public domain):

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