Intrahepatic bile ducts

Intrahepatic bile ducts are a network of small tubes that transport bile within the liver. Bile is a fluid produced by the liver that aids in the digestion of fats. The intrahepatic bile ducts merge to form larger ducts, which eventually exit the liver as the common hepatic duct.

Etymology

The term "intrahepatic" is derived from the Latin words "intra", meaning "within", and "hepatic", meaning "pertaining to the liver". The term "bile duct" is derived from the Latin word "bile", which refers to a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion, and "duct", which refers to a tube, channel, or pipe for conveying a liquid or gas.

Anatomy

The intrahepatic bile ducts are part of the biliary tree, a system of vessels that transport bile from the liver to the gallbladder and the small intestine. The biliary tree begins with the canals of Hering, which are the smallest ducts in the liver. These canals merge to form larger ducts, known as interlobular bile ducts, which in turn merge to form the right and left hepatic ducts. These two ducts exit the liver and join to form the common hepatic duct.

Function

The primary function of the intrahepatic bile ducts is to transport bile from the liver, where it is produced, to the gallbladder and the small intestine, where it aids in the digestion of fats. Bile also helps to neutralize stomach acid and promotes the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Related Terms

• Biliary tree
• Canals of Hering
• Interlobular bile ducts
• Right hepatic duct
• Left hepatic duct
• Common hepatic duct

See Also

• Liver
• Bile
• Gallbladder
• Small intestine

• 
  Ultrasonography of dilated bile ducts