Biliary tract | |
---|---|
![]() Ducts of the biliary tract | |
Details | |
Function | Facilitate movement of bile, which aids in fat absorption |
Identifiers | |
MeSH | D001659 |
FMA | 79646 |
Anatomical terminology |
The biliary tract (also biliary tree or biliary system) refers to the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, and how they work together to make, store and secrete bile.[1] Bile consists of water, electrolytes, bile acids, cholesterol, phospholipids and conjugated bilirubin.[2] Some components are synthesized by hepatocytes (liver cells); the rest are extracted from the blood by the liver.[3]
Bile is secreted by the liver into small ducts that join to form the common hepatic duct.[4] Between meals, secreted bile is stored in the gallbladder.[5] During a meal, the bile is secreted into the duodenum (part of the small intestine) to rid the body of waste stored in the bile as well as aid in the absorption of dietary fats and oils.[5]
:2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
:4
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search