16th February 2024

Gallbladder

The liver secretes bile, which initially passes through the canaliculi, which join together to form intrahepatic bile ducts. The intrahepatic ducts will converge to form the right and left hepatic ducts. The right and left hepatic ducts combine to form a common hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct will converge with the cystic duct to form the common bile duct. 

The pancreatic duct will converge with the common bile duct at the ampulla of Vater before it drains into the duodenum. The gallbladder lies at the inferior surface of the liver and stores bile, which is excreted via the cystic duct. The gallbladder is divided into fundus, body and neck. The fundus of the gallbladder lies at the tip of the right ninth rib.