Question

Is the common bile duct the same as the bile duct?

Answer 1

There are several types of bile ducts in biliary tree. Bile from all the bile ducts empties into the common bile duct.

Explanation:

By convention, biliary tree is divided into Intra-hepatic and extra-hepatic bile ducts.

Intra hepatic ducts include bile ducts from bile canaliculi upto the right and left hepatic ducts. While extra hepatic bile duct (EHBD) include hepatic ducts and the common hepatic duct. EHBD joins cystic duct to form common bile duct.

The path is as follows:
Bile canaliculi → Canals of Hering → interlobular bile ducts → interlobar bile ducts → left and right hepatic ducts(lobar ducts) that merge to form → common hepatic duct which exits liver and joins → cystic duct (from gall bladder) forming → common bile duct → joins with pancreatic duct → forming ampulla of Vater → enters 2nd part of duodenum.

*As common bile duct is the largest of all in biliary tree and is mostly the site for blockage and other pathologies, the term BILE DUCT is usually used as a synonym of common bile duct .