Stomach, Liver and Spleen - LO 5

5. Diagram the pathway of bile.

The biliary tract begins with the right and left hepatic ducts which drain bile from their associated functional lobes of the liver. The hepatic ducts join to form the common hepatic duct. The cystic duct drains bile from the gallbladder, and joins the common hepatic duct to form the (common) bile duct, which runs in the hepatoduodenal ligament. The (common) bile duct joins with the main pancreatic duct (which is NOT part of the biliary tract - transports pancreatic fluids). Typically, a dilation of the junction of (common) bile duct and pancreatic duct, the hepatopancreatic ampulla, drains into the 2nd part of the duodenum via the major duodenal papilla.