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', 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 c ...
.
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 an ...
, 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.
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
Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy is a common treatment of symptomatic gallstones and other gallbladder conditions. In 2011, cholecystectomy was the eighth most common operating room procedure performed i ...
, the cystic duct is clipped two or three times and a cut is made between the clips, freeing the gallbladder to be taken out.
See also
*
Accessory bile duct
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