The common hepatic duct is the first part of the biliary tract. It joins the cystic duct coming from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct.

Structure

The common hepatic duct is the first part of the biliary tract. It is formed by the union 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** duct is about 3 cm long. **** The common hepatic duct is about 6 mm in diameter in adults, with some **variation.

Termination

The** common hepatic duct typically unites with the cystic duct some 1–2 cm superior to the duodenum and anterior to the right hepatic artery, with the cystic duct approaching the common hepatic duct from the right. **

Relations

The** right branch of the hepatic artery proper usually passes posterior to the duct, but may rarely pass anterior to it instead. **

Histology

The inner surface is covered in a simple columnar epithelium.

Variation

Accessory hepatic ducts Around 1.7% of people have additional accessory hepatic ducts that opens into the common hepatic duct. Accessory** hepatic ducts may also instead open into the cystic duct or gallbladder. ** Termination Occasionally,** the cystic duct may first run along the right side of the common bile duct for some distance before joining it, or may pass posteriorly around to the common hepatic duct to unite with it from the left side. ** Rarely,** the common hepatic duct and gallbladder join directly (with the cystic duct being absent), **** **** leading to **illness.

Function

The hepatic duct is part of the biliary tract that transports secretions from the liver into the intestines.

Clinical significance

Cholecystectomy

The common hepatic ducts carries a higher volume of bile in people who have had their gallbladder removed. The common hepatic duct is an important anatomic landmark during surgeries such as cholecystectomy. 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.

Cholestasis

A diameter of more than 8 mm is regarded as abnormal dilatation, and is a sign of cholestasis.

Mirizzi's syndrome

Mirizzi's syndrome occurs when the common hepatic duct is blocked by gallstones.

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