bile duct

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Medical illustration showing the location and anatomy of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts within the human abdomen, with labeled structures including the liver, stomach, pancreas, pancreatic duct, common bile duct, cystic duct, hepatic ducts, duodenal papilla, large intestine, and small intestine.

bile duct

anatomy

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June 22, 2026

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Medical illustration showing the location and anatomy of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts within the human abdomen, with labeled structures including the liver, stomach, pancreas, pancreatic duct, common bile duct, cystic duct, hepatic ducts, duodenal papilla, large intestine, and small intestine. — gallbladder; bile ducts The gallbladder and bile ducts in situ.

The bile duct is a tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Bile is a fluid produced by the liver that aids in fat digestion. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, making it up to 18 times more concentrated than when it was produced in the liver.123

The biliary tract includes the hepatic ducts from the liver, the cystic duct from the gallbladder, and the common bile duct. These ducts join and lead to the duodenum, with flow regulated by the sphincter of Oddi. The common bile duct typically joins the pancreatic duct before entering the duodenum at the ampulla of Vater.245

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endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatoscopy
…is used to examine the bile duct and pancreatic ducts for the presence of gallstones, tumours, or inflammation. In this procedure an endoscope is passed through the stomach into the duodenum to visualize the ampulla of Vater, the
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…is used to examine the bile duct and pancreatic ducts for the presence of gallstones, tumours, or inflammation. In this procedure an endoscope is passed through the stomach into the duodenum to visualize the ampulla of Vater, the
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fascioliasis
…flatworm that lives in the bile ducts and causes a condition known as liver rot.
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…flatworm that lives in the bile ducts and causes a condition known as liver rot.
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human digestive system
Anatomy
The common bile duct averages about 10 cm in length, and flow of bile from its lower end into the intestine is controlled by the muscular action of the hepatopancreatic sphincter (sphincter of Oddi), located in the duodenal papilla. The cystic duct varies from 2 to 3…
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The common bile duct averages about 10 cm in length, and flow of bile from its lower end into the intestine is controlled by the muscular action of the hepatopancreatic sphincter (sphincter of Oddi), located in the duodenal papilla. The cystic duct varies from 2 to 3…
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pancreatic cancer
Symptoms and causes
…it may block the common bile duct, which leads to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and causes jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes). Blockage of the bile duct may also cause the gallbladder to become enlarged.
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…it may block the common bile duct, which leads to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and causes jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes). Blockage of the bile duct may also cause the gallbladder to become enlarged.
Read More