The common hepatic duct is the first part of the biliary tract. It joins the cystic duct coming from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct.
Structure
The common hepatic duct is the first part of the biliary tract. It is formed by the union of the right hepatic duct (which drains bile from the right functional lobe of the liver) and the left hepatic duct (which drains bile from the left functional lobe of the liver).
The duct is about 3 cm long. The common hepatic duct is about 6 mm in diameter in adults, with some variation.
Termination
The common hepatic duct typically unites with the cystic duct some 1–2 cm superior to the duodenum and anterior to the right hepatic artery, with the cystic duct approaching the common hepatic duct from the right. Accessory hepatic ducts may also instead open into the cystic duct or gallbladder.
Mirizzi's syndrome
Mirizzi's syndrome occurs when the common hepatic duct is blocked by gallstones.
Additional images
<gallery>
File:Biliary system new.svg |Biliary tract
File:Abdominal cavity.jpg|Common hepatic duct
File:Slide13ffff.JPG|Common hepatic duct
File:Bilebladder.png|The portal vein and its tributaries
File:Gray1095-gall bladder.png|The gall-bladder and bile ducts laid open
</gallery>
References
External links
- - "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: Contents of the Hepatoduodenal Ligament"
- Illustration