Spiral folds of cystic duct

Spiral Folds of Cystic Duct

The Spiral Folds of Cystic Duct, also known as the Valves of Heister, are a series of crescent-shaped folds of mucous membrane found within the Cystic Duct. The cystic duct is a part of the biliary system and serves as a conduit between the gallbladder and the common bile duct.

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Spiral Folds of Cystic Duct (Valves of Heister)

Anatomy

The spiral folds of the cystic duct typically number between 5 to 12 and are not true valves as they do not prevent the backflow of bile. Instead, they function to keep the duct open, even when it is not filled with bile, preventing its collapse.

Function

The primary function of the spiral folds of the cystic duct is to maintain the patency of the duct, ensuring that bile can flow freely from the gallbladder to the common bile duct, and vice versa. This is particularly important during the digestion process, when bile is needed to emulsify dietary fats in the small intestine.

Clinical Significance

The spiral folds of the cystic duct can sometimes become a site of gallstone impaction, leading to cholecystitis or inflammation of the gallbladder. This is a common condition that can cause severe abdominal pain and may require surgical intervention, often in the form of a cholecystectomy.

See Also

• Biliary system
• Gallbladder
• Common bile duct
• Cholecystitis
• Cholecystectomy