hepatic duct

Also known as: common hepatic duct

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The hepatic duct is a crucial part of the biliary tract, which transports bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. Specifically, the hepatic duct is formed by the joining of the right and left hepatic ducts, which originate in the liver. This structure then merges with the cystic duct from the gallbladder to become the common bile duct.1

Bile is essential for digestion, aiding in the breakdown of fats. The hepatic duct's role is to channel this bile, ensuring it reaches the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine, where it assists in nutrient absorption. Disorders affecting the hepatic duct can lead to conditions like obstructive jaundice, where bile flow is blocked, causing symptoms such as itching and yellowing of the skin.2134

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human digestive system
Gross anatomy
…the exit point for the hepatic ducts. These channels are the final pathway for a network of smaller bile ductules interspersed throughout the liver that serve to carry newly formed bile from liver cells to the small intestine via the biliary tract.
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…the exit point for the hepatic ducts. These channels are the final pathway for a network of smaller bile ductules interspersed throughout the liver that serve to carry newly formed bile from liver cells to the small intestine via the biliary tract.
Read More