The common hepatic duct is the duct formed by the convergence of the right hepatic duct (which drains bile from the right functional lobe of the liver) and the left hepatic duct (which drains bile from the left functional lobe of the liver). The common hepatic duct then joins the cystic duct coming from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct. The duct is usually 6–8cm length and 6mm in diameter in adults.[1]
| Common hepatic duct | |
|---|---|
 1: Right lobe of liver 2: Left lobe of liver 3: Quadrate lobe of liver 4: Round ligament of liver 5: Falciform ligament 6: Caudate lobe of liver 7: Inferior vena cava 8: Common bile duct 9: Hepatic artery 10: Portal vein 11: Cystic duct 12: Common hepatic duct 13: Gallbladder | |
The gall-bladder and bile ducts laid open. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ductus hepaticus communis |
| MeSH | D006500 |
| TA98 | A05.8.01.061 |
| TA2 | 3092 |
| FMA | 14668 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Clinical significance
The hepatic duct is part of the biliary tract that transports secretions from the liver into the intestines. It carries more volume in people who have had their gallbladder removed.
It is an important anatomic landmark during surgeries such as gall bladder removal. It forms one edge of Calot's triangle, along with the cystic duct and the cystic artery. All constituents of this triangle must be identified to avoid cutting or clipping the wrong structure.
Additional images
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The portal vein and its tributaries.
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References
- ^ Gray's Anatomy, 39th ed, p. 1228
External links
- Anatomy photo:38:03-0302 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: Contents of the Hepatoduodenal Ligament"
- Template:EMedicineDictionary
- Illustration
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