Common hepatic duct

The common hepatic duct is responsible for transporting bile from the liver to the gallbladder and duodenum.

The common hepatic duct forms from the convergence of the hepatic ducts draining the liver lobes. It carries bile produced in the liver towards the bile duct (ductus choledochus), often in conjunction with the cystic duct from the gallbladder. Its primary function is to serve as a conduit for bile to reach the duodenum, either directly or via storage in the gallbladder.

Species-Specific Anatomy

• Dog and Cat

  • The hepatic ducts (right and left) drain the respective liver lobes and unite with the cystic duct from the gallbladder to form the bile duct. In these species, there is typically no well-defined common hepatic duct as a separate structure; instead, the right and left hepatic ducts join directly with the cystic duct.

  • The bile duct (ductus choledochus) is formed by the union of these hepatic and cystic components and enters the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla, often with the pancreatic duct in dogs.

• Horse

  • Horses lack a gallbladder, and therefore, the biliary system is simplified.

  • The hepatic ducts form a short common hepatic duct, which continues directly as the bile duct to enter the duodenum. The absence of a gallbladder means there is no cystic duct.

  • The bile duct opens near the pancreatic duct on the major duodenal papilla.

• Ruminants (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats)

  • Multiple hepatic ducts drain various lobes of the liver and converge to form a more distinct and often longer common hepatic duct.

  • The common hepatic duct joins the cystic duct from the gallbladder to form the bile duct.

  • In some ruminants, the right hepatic duct joins the cystic duct before the formation of the bile duct, contributing to variation in the length and configuration of the common hepatic duct.

• Pig

  • The pig has a well-developed gallbladder.

  • Right and left hepatic ducts converge to form a common hepatic duct, which then joins the cystic duct to form the bile duct.

  • The bile duct enters the duodenum along with the pancreatic duct at the major duodenal papilla.