Common Bile Duct Flashcards

Trace the common bile duct through its anatomical segments, vascular relations, duodenal opening, blood supply, and clinical landmarks.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the common bile duct?

An extrahepatic duct that carries bile toward the duodenum.

In This Section

1. What is the common bile duct?

An extrahepatic duct that carries bile toward the duodenum.

2. Which two ducts unite to form the common bile duct?

The common hepatic duct and cystic duct.

3. What is the approximate length of the common bile duct in adults?

Approximately 6 to 8 cm, although its length varies.

4. What are the four traditional anatomical parts of the common bile duct?

Supraduodenal, retroduodenal, pancreatic, and intramural parts.

5. Where is the supraduodenal part of the common bile duct located?

Within the right free margin of the lesser omentum, above the duodenum.

6. Which ligament contains the supraduodenal common bile duct?

The hepatoduodenal ligament.

7. What is the usual position of the common bile duct relative to the portal vein?

Anterior and to the right of the portal vein.

8. Which artery normally lies to the left of the common bile duct in the hepatoduodenal ligament?

The proper hepatic artery.

9. Where does the retroduodenal part of the common bile duct pass?

Posterior to the superior, or first, part of the duodenum.

10. What is the relationship of the pancreatic part of the common bile duct to the pancreatic head?

It descends in a posterior groove or within the substance of the pancreatic head.

11. What is the intramural part of the common bile duct?

The terminal segment passing obliquely through the duodenal wall.

12. Which pancreatic duct usually joins the common bile duct near its termination?

The main pancreatic duct, also called the duct of Wirsung.

13. What is formed by the usual union of the common bile duct and main pancreatic duct?

The hepatopancreatic ampulla, also called the ampulla of Vater.

14. Where does the common bile duct normally open into the duodenum?

At the major duodenal papilla in the descending part of the duodenum.

15. Which sphincter complex regulates bile flow through the terminal common bile duct?

The sphincter of Oddi.

16. What is the function of the sphincter choledochus?

It regulates bile flow through the terminal common bile duct.

17. What happens to bile flow when the sphincter of Oddi contracts?

Bile entry into the duodenum is restricted, favoring diversion toward the gallbladder.

18. Which hormone promotes sphincter of Oddi relaxation during digestion?

Cholecystokinin.

19. What type of epithelium lines the common bile duct?

Predominantly simple columnar epithelium composed of cholangiocytes.

20. What are peribiliary glands in the common bile duct?

Mucus-secreting glands associated with the duct wall.

21. Which arteries contribute to the blood supply of the common bile duct?

Branches of the right hepatic, cystic, gastroduodenal, and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries.

22. What is the epicholedochal arterial plexus?

A fine arterial network on the external surface of the common bile duct.

23. Where does venous blood from the common bile duct primarily drain?

Into the portal venous system through small peribiliary venous channels.

24. Which autonomic plexus contributes to the innervation of the common bile duct?

The hepatic plexus, containing sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers.

25. Where does lymph from the common bile duct primarily drain?

To hepatic and pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes, with further drainage toward celiac nodes.

26. What is choledocholithiasis?

The presence of one or more gallstones within the common bile duct.

27. How can obstruction of the common bile duct cause jaundice?

Impaired bile drainage causes conjugated bilirubin to accumulate in the bloodstream.

28. Why can a tumor in the pancreatic head obstruct the common bile duct?

The distal duct passes through or behind the pancreatic head and may be compressed by a tumor.

29. What is acute ascending cholangitis?

An infection of the biliary ducts commonly associated with biliary obstruction.

30. Why is the common bile duct an important structure to identify during cholecystectomy?

Mistaking it for the cystic duct can cause major bile duct injury.