extrahepatic bile duct
(EK-struh-heh-PA-tik bile dukt)
A duct (tube) that is outside the liver and carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. The extrahepatic bile duct is made up of the perihilar region (the area that is closest to the liver and includes the common hepatic duct) and the distal region (the area that is farthest from the liver and includes the common bile duct). The extrahepatic bile duct is part of the biliary system.
More Information
Enlarge this image in new windowAnatomy of the extrahepatic bile ducts. Extrahepatic bile ducts are small tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. They are made up of the common hepatic duct (perihilar region) and the common bile duct (distal region). Bile is made in the liver and flows through the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct to the gallbladder, where it is stored. When food is being digested, bile is released from the gallbladder and flows through the common bile duct, pancreas, and ampulla of Vater into the small intestine.