View source for Common bile duct

{{Infobox Anatomy |
  Name         = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Latin        = ductus choledochus |
  GraySubject  = 250 |
  GrayPage     = 1198 |
  Image        = Digestive system showing bile duct.png |
  Caption      = Digestive system diagram showing the common bile duct |
  Image2       = Gray1095.png |
  Caption2     = The gall-bladder and bile ducts laid open. |
  System       = |
  MeshName     = |
  MeshNumber   = |
  DorlandsPre  = d_29 |
  DorlandsSuf  = 12314771  |
}}
{{SI}}

{{EH}}

==Overview==

[[Bile]], which is synthesized in the liver, is carried to the right and left hepatic ducts, which converge to form the [[common hepatic duct]]. There, it can either enter the  superior end of the common bile duct and either empties into the third (and [[retroperitoneal]]) portion of the duodenum, or enter the cystic duct to be stored in the gallbladder. 

The inferior end of the common bile duct merges with the large [[pancreatic duct]] (duct of Wirsung) from the [[pancreas]], into the [[ampulla of Vater]]. There, the two ducts are surrounded by the muscular hepatopancreatic sphincter ([[sphincter of Oddi]]) which if contracted, prevents [[bile]] from entering the small intestine. 

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Illu pancrease.jpg|Region of pancreas
 Image:Gray848.png|The celiac ganglia with the sympathetic plexuses of the abdominal viscera radiating from the ganglia.
 Image:Gray1039.png|Horizontal disposition of the peritoneum in the upper part of the abdomen.
 Image:Gray1057.png|Interior of the descending portion of the duodenum, showing bile papilla.
 Image:Gray1086-liver.PNG|Inferior surface of the liver.
 Image:Gray1099.png|The pancreas and duodenum from behind.  
 Image:Gray1100.png|The pancreatic duct.
 Image:Bilebladder.png|The portal vein and its tributaries.
 Image:Illu liver gallbladder.jpg|Liver and gallbladder
</gallery>

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|38|06|08}} - "The gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts."
* {{SUNYAnatomyImage|8|3|36}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyImage|7|9|57}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|liver}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|biliarysystem}})

[[Category:Digestive system]]
[[Category:Hepatology]]

{{Digestive glands}}
{{SIB}}
[[Category:Digestive system]]

[[de:Ductus choledochus]]
[[nl:Ductus choledochus]]
[[pt:Ducto colédoco]]

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