The [common hepatic duct] is one of the components of the extrahepatic hepatobiliary tree that takes bile produced in the liver and transports it to the duodenum, with a storage function in the gallbladder.
The common hepatic duct (CHD) is formed by the junction of the right and left hepatic ducts which bring bile from the right and left functional lobes of the liver respectively. These hepatic ducts converge forming an obtuse angle.
During its trajectory the CHD is found between the layers of the lesser omentum. It has anatomical relations with the proper hepatic artery and the portal vein.
The CHD has an average diameter of 4 to 5 mm and an average length of 3cm (Testut & Latarjet 1931). It ends at the point of origin of the cystic duct which takes bile to the gallbladder. The CHD continues with the common bile duct, which empties into the second portion of the duodenum through the hepatopancreatic ampulla, also known as the Ampulla of Vater.
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1. Bile ducts: 2. Intrahepatic bile ducts 3. Left and right hepatic ducts, 4. Common hepatic duct 5. Cystic duct 6. Common bile duct 7. Ampulla of Vater 8. Major duodenal papilla 9. Gallbladder 10–11 Right and left lobes of liver 12. Spleen. 13. Esophagus 14. Stomach Small intestine: 15. Duodenum, 16. Jejunum 17. Pancreas: 18: Accessory pancreatic duct, 19: Pancreatic duct. 20–21: Right and left kidneys (silhouette). The anterior border of the liver is lifted superiorly (brown arrow). Gallbladder in longitudinal section, pancreas and duodenum in frontal section. Intrahepatic ducts and stomach in transparency. |