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Biliary tree

 

 
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Biliary tree
 
 
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The biliary tract (or biliary tree) is the common anatomy
Anatomy

Anatomy is a branch of biology that is the consideration of the body plan. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy and plant anatomy ....
 term for the path by which bile
Bile

Bile or gall is a bitter yellow or green fluid secreted by hepatocytes from the liver of most vertebrates. In many species, bile is stored in the gallbladder between meals and upon eating is discharged into the duodenum where the bile aids the process of digestion of lipids....
 is secreted by the liver
Liver

The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals; it has a wide range of functions, a few of which are detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion....
 on its way to the duodenum
Duodenum

The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum....
, or small intestine
Small intestine

In vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, birds, and bony fish, the small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract following the stomach, and is where the vast majority of digestion takes place....
, of most members of the mammal
Mammal

Mammals are a class of vertebrate animals whose name is derived from their distinctive feature, mammary glands, with which they feed their young....
 family. It is referred to as a tree because it begins with many small branches which end in the common bile duct, sometimes referred to as the trunk of the biliary tree.






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Digestive System Showing Bile Duct
The biliary tract (or biliary tree) is the common anatomy
Anatomy

Anatomy is a branch of biology that is the consideration of the body plan. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy and plant anatomy ....
 term for the path by which bile
Bile

Bile or gall is a bitter yellow or green fluid secreted by hepatocytes from the liver of most vertebrates. In many species, bile is stored in the gallbladder between meals and upon eating is discharged into the duodenum where the bile aids the process of digestion of lipids....
 is secreted by the liver
Liver

The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals; it has a wide range of functions, a few of which are detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion....
 on its way to the duodenum
Duodenum

The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum....
, or small intestine
Small intestine

In vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, birds, and bony fish, the small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract following the stomach, and is where the vast majority of digestion takes place....
, of most members of the mammal
Mammal

Mammals are a class of vertebrate animals whose name is derived from their distinctive feature, mammary glands, with which they feed their young....
 family. It is referred to as a tree because it begins with many small branches which end in the common bile duct, sometimes referred to as the trunk of the biliary tree. The duct is present along with the branches of the hepatic artery
Common hepatic artery

In anatomy, the common hepatic artery is a short blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the liver, pylorus , duodenum and pancreas.It arises from the celiac artery and has the following branches:...
 and the portal vein
Hepatic portal vein

The hepatic portal vein is a vein in the abdominal cavity that drains blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen. It is usually formed by the confluence of the superior mesenteric vein and splenic veins, and also receives blood from the inferior mesenteric vein, gastric vein, and cystic veins....
 forming the central axis of the portal triad
Portal triad

A portal triad is a distinctive arrangement in the liver, consisting of the following four structures:* hepatic artery* hepatic portal vein...
. Bile flows in opposite direction to that of the blood present in the other two channels.

The liver
Liver

The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals; it has a wide range of functions, a few of which are detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion....
 is usually excluded, but sometimes included.

Clinical significance

Pressure inside in the biliary tree can give rise in gall stone and lead to cirrhosis of the liver.

Blockage can cause jaundice
Jaundice

Jaundice, also known as icterus , is a yellowish discoloration of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the sclera , and other mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubinemia ....
.

Path

The path is as follows:
  • Bile canaliculi >> canals of Hering >> bile ductules (in portal tracts) >> intrahepatic bile ducts >> left and right hepatic ducts >>
  • merge to form >> common hepatic duct
    Common hepatic duct

    The common hepatic duct is the duct formed by the convergence of the right hepatic duct and the left hepatic duct . The common hepatic duct then joins the cystic duct coming from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct....
     >>
  • exits liver and joins >> cystic duct
    Cystic duct

    The cystic duct is the short duct that joins the gall bladder to the common bile duct. It usually lies next to the cystic artery. It is of variable length....
     (from gall bladder) >>
  • forming >> common bile duct
    Common bile duct

    Bile, which is synthesized in the liver, is carried via the right and left hepatic ducts, with both converging to form the common hepatic duct. The cystic duct opens at the lower end of the common hepatic duct forming the common bile duct....
     >> joins with >> pancreatic duct
    Pancreatic duct

    The pancreatic duct, or duct of Wirsung, is a duct joining the pancreas to the common bile duct to supply pancreatic juices which aid in digestion provided by the "exocrine pancreas"....
     >>
  • forming >> ampulla of Vater >> enters duodenum


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