Bile Duct- Anatomy, Functions and Conditions

Bile Duct Anatomy, Bile Duct Functions, Bile Duct Conditions, Bile Duct cancer, Bile Duct cancer symptoms, Bile Duct obstruction, Bile Duct stones

The bile ducts are a series of thin tubes that go from the liver to the small intestine.

Bile Duct- Anatomy, Functions and Conditions

Bile duct definition

Your liver makes a digestive juice called bile. Your gallbladder stores it between meals. When you eat, your gallbladder pushes the bile into the small intestine through a network of tube-like structures. These tubes are collectively called bile ducts.

Bile duct function

The common bile duct connects the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the small intestine.

The bile ducts carry bile to your small intestine where it helps in breakdown of fats and absorb food. It also helps the liver get rid of toxins and wastes.

Bile Duct anatomy

Bile duct anatomy

Different parts of the bile duct system have different names. In the liver it begins as many tiny tubes (called ductules). The ductules come together to form small tubes called ducts. These merge into larger ducts and then into the left and right hepatic ducts. All of these ducts within the liver are called intrahepatic bile ducts.

The left and right hepatic ducts exit the liver and join to form the common hepatic duct in an area called the hilum. Lower down, the gallbladder (a small organ that stores bile) is joined to the common hepatic duct by a small duct called the cystic duct. This combined duct is called the common bile duct.

The common bile duct passes through part of the pancreas before it joins with the pancreatic duct and empties into the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum) at the ampulla of Vater.

Bile Duct diseases/ Disorder

Different diseases can block the bile ducts and cause a problem with the flow of bile-

Gallstones, which can increase pressure in the gallbladder and cause a gallbladder attack. The pain usually lasts from one to several hours.
Bile Duct Cancer
Primary biliary cholangitis
Infections
Birth defects, such as biliary atresia.
Inflammation, which can cause scarring. Over time, this can lead to liver failure.

Symptoms of Bile Duct Diseases

General signs and symptoms include:

Abdominal pain in the upper right side
Dark urine
Fever
Itching
Jaundice (yellow skin color)
Nausea and vomiting
Pale-colored stools

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have persistent fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, or other signs and symptoms that bother you. He or she may refer you to a specialist in digestive diseases (gastroenterologist).