What is Bile?

6. Biliary Tract

The path that bile takes from the liver to the small intestine is the biliary tract. At the beginning of bile transport, hepatocytes secrete bile into small ducts known as the bile canaliculi. These ducts merge and form bile ductules which eventually become the common hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct leaves the liver and connects to the cystic duct of the gallbladder. The cystic duct and the common hepatic duct meld together to create the common bile duct. Eventually, the common bile duct connects to the pancreatic duct. These ducts pass through the ampulla of Vater and enter the duodenum of the small intestine.