Bile duct
197021
222452257
2008-06-29T12:15:36Z
Tony K10
6233384
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Image = Digestive system showing bile duct.png |
Caption = Digestive system diagram showing the bile duct |
Image2 = Laprascopy-Roentgen.jpg |
Caption2 = An intraoperative cholangiogram, which is an X-Ray of the bile ducts during a laprascopic cholecystectomy |
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A '''bile duct''' is any of a number of long tube-like structures that carry [[bile]].
Bile, required for the [[digestion]] of food, is excreted by the [[liver]] into passages that carry bile toward the [[hepatic duct]], which joins with the [[cystic duct]] (carrying bile to and from the [[gallbladder]]) to form the [[common bile duct]], which opens into the [[intestine]].
The '''biliary tree''' (see below) is the whole network of various sized ducts branching through the liver.
The path is as follows: [[Bile canaliculi]] '''→''' [[Canals of Hering]] '''→''' [[interlobular bile ducts]] '''→''' [[intrahepatic bile ducts]] '''→''' left and right [[hepatic ducts]] ''merge to form'' '''→''' [[common hepatic duct]] ''exits liver and joins'' '''→''' [[cystic duct]] (from [[gall bladder]]) ''forming'' '''→''' [[common bile duct]] '''→''' ''joins with'' [[pancreatic duct]] '''→''' ''forming'' [[ampulla of Vater]] '''→''' ''enters'' [[duodenum]]
==Common bile duct==
The top half of the common bile duct is associated with the liver, while the bottom half of the common bile duct is associated with the [[pancreas]], through which it passes on its way to the intestine. It opens in the part of the intestine called the [[duodenum]] into a structure called the [[ampulla of Vater]].
==Pathology==
Blockage of the bile duct by a [[cancer]], gallstones, or scarring from injury prevents the bile from being transported to the intestine and the active ingredient in the bile ([[bilirubin]]) instead accumulates in the [[blood]]. This condition is called [[jaundice]] and the [[skin]] and [[eyes]] become yellow from the bilirubin in the blood. This condition also causes severe itchiness from the bilirubin deposited in the tissues. In certain types of jaundice, the urine will be noticeably darker, and the stools will be much paler than usual. This is caused by the bilirubin all going to the bloodstream and being filtered into the urine by the kidneys, instead of some being lost in the stools through the ampulla of Vater.
[[Jaundice]] is commonly caused by conditions such as [[pancreatic cancer]], which causes blockage of the bile duct passing through the cancerous portion of the pancreas; [[cholangiocarcinoma]], cancer of the bile ducts; blockage by a stone in patients with [[gallstone]]s; and from scarring after injury to the bile duct during gallbladder removal.
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray1093.png|Section across portal canal of pig. X 250.
</gallery>
==External links==
* [http://cholangiocarcinoma.org/ The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation]
* [http://pathology2.jhu.edu/gbbd/ The Johns Hopkins Gall Bladder & Bile Duct Cancer Web page]
* {{eMedicineDictionary|bile+duct}}
* {{MeshName|Bile+Ducts}}
{{Digestive glands}}
[[Category:Digestive system]]
[[Category:Hepatology]]
[[cs:Žlučovod]]
[[el:Χολαγγείο]]
[[es:Vía biliar]]
[[fr:Voies biliaires]]
[[id:Saluran empedu]]
[[is:Gallrás]]
[[it:Dotti biliari]]
[[ja:胆管]]
[[pag:Apgo]]
[[pl:Drogi żółciowe]]
[[pt:Ducto biliar]]
[[fi:Sappitiet]]
[[zh:膽管]]