The Gastrointestinal System - The biliary system

Question 1

Describe how bile is secreted

Answer 1

• Bile is secreted from the gallbladder into the gastrointestinal tract via a series of ducts, known as the biliary tree.
• biliary tree begins with the left and right hepatic ducts, which drains bile from the liver where it has been synthesised.
• These two ducts amalgamate to form the common hepatic duct, which runs alongside the hepatic vein.
• As the common hepatic duct descends, it is joined by the cystic duct, which is a continuation of the neck of the gallbladder.
• The common hepatic duct and cystic duct combine to form the common bile duct.
• The common bile duct joins with the pancreatic duct of the pancreas, forming the hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater.
• This then empties into the duodenum
• The opening into the duodenum is known as the major duodenal papilla – it is regulated by a muscular valve, the sphincter of Oddi.

Question 2

Describe the structure of the ribs and costal margin

Answer 2

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