The cystic duct is the short duct that joins the

gallbladder In vertebrates, the gallbladder, also known as the cholecyst, is a small hollow organ where bile is stored and concentrated before it is released into the small intestine. In humans, the pear-shaped gallbladder lies beneath the liver, although ...

to the

common hepatic duct 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 c ...

. It usually lies next to the

cystic artery The cystic artery (also known as bachelor artery) supplies oxygenated blood to the gallbladder and cystic duct. Most common arrangement In the classic arrangement, occurring with a frequency of approximately 70%, a singular cystic artery originat ...

. It is of variable length. It contains '

spiral valves of Heister Spiral valves of Heister are undulating folds or valves in the proximal mucosa of the cystic duct. The cystic duct attaches the gallbladder to the common bile duct. The spiral valves of Heister are supported by underlying smooth muscle fibers. Th ...

', which do not provide much resistance to the flow of bile.

Function

Bile can flow in both directions between the gallbladder and the common bile duct and the

hepatic duct 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 ...

. In this way, bile is stored in the gallbladder in between meal times. The hormone

cholecystokinin Cholecystokinin (CCK or CCK-PZ; from Greek ''chole'', "bile"; ''cysto'', "sac"; ''kinin'', "move"; hence, ''move the bile-sac (gallbladder)'') is a peptide hormone of the gastrointestinal system responsible for stimulating the digestion of fat and ...

, when stimulated by a fatty meal, promotes bile secretion by increased production of hepatic bile, contraction of the gall bladder, and relaxation of the

Sphincter of Oddi The sphincter of Oddi (also hepatopancreatic sphincter or Glisson's sphincter), abbreviated as SO, is a muscular valve that in some animals, including humans, controls the flow of digestive juices (bile and pancreatic juice) out of the pancreas t ...

Clinical significance

Gallstone A gallstone is a stone formed within the gallbladder from precipitated bile components. The term cholelithiasis may refer to the presence of gallstones or to any disease caused by gallstones, and choledocholithiasis refers to the presence of mi ...

s can enter and obstruct the cystic duct, preventing the flow of bile. The increased pressure in the gallbladder leads to swelling and pain. This pain, known as

biliary colic Biliary colic, also known as symptomatic cholelithiasis, a gallbladder attack or gallstone attack, is when a colic (sudden pain) occurs due to a gallstone temporarily blocking the cystic duct. Typically, the pain is in the right upper part of th ...

, is sometimes referred to as a gallbladder "attack" because of its sudden onset. During a cholecystectomy, the cystic duct is clipped two or three times and a cut is made between the clips, freeing the gallbladder to be taken out.

Additional images

File:Digestive system showing bile duct.svg, Digestive system diagram showing the cystic duct File:Gray1095-gall_bladder.png, The gall-bladder and bile ducts laid open. File:Bilebladder.png, The portal vein and its tributaries. File:Slide10CHA.JPG, Cystic duct.Visceral surface of liver.

References

External links

* - "The gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts." * - "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: The Gallbladder and the Bile System" * (, ) {{Authority control Digestive system Hepatology Gallbladder

Function

Clinical significance

See also

Additional images

References

External links