Biliary Tree

Question 1

The coming together of which two ducts forms the common hepatic duct?

Answer 1

The left and right hepatic ducts

Question 2

The common hepatic duct and the cystic duct combine to form…?

Answer 2

The common bile duct

Question 3

What is the name of the sphincter which regulates the flow of bile into the duodenum?

Answer 3

Sphincter of Oddi

Question 4

At what point in the duodenum does the common bile duct enter?

Answer 4

The ampulla of vater

Question 5

The common bile duct passes behind the duodenum and then through the head of which organ to reach the ampulla of vater?

Answer 5

Head of the pancreas

Question 6

What are the three anatomical parts of the gallbladder?

Answer 6

Neck
Body
Fundus

Question 7

What is bile composed of?

Answer 7

Bile acids
Water
Electrolytes
Cholesterol
Phospholipids
Conjugated billirubin

Question 8

Where is bilirubin conjugated before it enters the bile?

Answer 8

The liver

Question 9

Bile enhances the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins. Which vitamins are fat soluble?

Answer 9

A
D
E
K

Question 10

What are the functions of bile?

Answer 10

Promotes intestinal absorption of fats
Enhances absorption of fat soluble vitamins
Solubises cholesterol to facilitate its excretion

Question 11

Where does bile synthesis occur?

Answer 11

Hepatocytes in the liver

Question 12

What are the two maim primary bile acids?

Answer 12

Cholic acid

Chenodeoxycholic acid

Question 13

With which amino acids are bile acids conjugated to form bile salts?

Answer 13

Glycine

Taurine

Question 14

Where is bile stored when digestion is not taking place?

Answer 14

The gallbladder

Question 15

Which nerve can cause the gallbladder to contract to allow the secretion of bile?

Answer 15

Vagus nerve

Question 16

In response to the presence of luminal fat in the duodenum which hormone is released to promote gallbladder contraction?

Answer 16

Cholecystokinin

Question 17

In addition to promoting gallbladder contraction, how does cholecystokinin promote bile secretion?

Answer 17

It relaxes the sphincter of Oddi

Question 18

Which two gut hormones will relax the gallbladder and close the sphincter of Oddi?

Answer 18

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide

Somatostatin

Question 19

What percentage of bile acids are ‘recycled’ via the enterohepatic circulation?

Answer 19

95%

Question 20

In the enterohepatic system, bile salts are carried into the portal vein from the ileum where they can be transported back to the liver for reuse. Which protein carries these bile salts in the blood?

Answer 20

Albumin