Anatomy - Hepp-Couinaud bilioenteric anastomosis

The bile duct drains bile from the liver into the duodenum. This way, bile aids in the digestion of lipids in the food. The intrahepatic biliary tract comprises the right and left hepatic duct (ductus hepaticus dexter et sinister) which descend from the liver. Their union forms the common hepatic duct (CHD – ductus hepaticus communis). Along its course to the duodenum, it is joined by the cystic duct (ductus cysticus) from the gallbladder (vesica biliaris). The union of the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct forms the common bile duct (CBD – ductus choledochus) which drains into the duodenum. The major duodenal papilla (papilla of Vater) is a sphincter muscle controlling the bile flow from the common bile duct into the duodenum.