Digestive system diagram showing the common bile duct

The biliary tract (or biliary tree) is the common anatomy term for the path by which bile is secreted by the liver on its way to the duodenum, or small intestine, of most members of the mammal 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 and the portal vein forming the central axis of the portal triad. Bile flows in opposite direction to that of the blood present in the other two channels.

The liver is usually excluded,^[1] but sometimes included.^[2]

[edit] Clinical significance

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

Blockage can cause jaundice.^[3]

The biliary tract can also serve as a reservoir for intestinal tract infections.

[edit] 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 >>
• exits liver and joins >> cystic duct (from gall bladder) >>
• forming >> common bile duct >> joins with >> pancreatic duct >>
• forming >> ampulla of Vater >> enters duodenum

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Diagramm at etsu.edu