Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBileFunctionAnatomyConditionsTests
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Bile
Function
Anatomy
Conditions
Tests
The biliary system, also called the biliary tract or biliary tree, is a system of ducts, organs, and associated structures that function to produce, store, secrete, and transport bile. The biliary system includes the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
This article explores the anatomy and function of the biliary system. It also discusses some of the associated conditions and how they are diagnosed and treated.
Bile is a greenish-brown, thick substance produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It is made from water, bile acids, cholesterol, phospholipids, bile pigments (such as bilirubin), and electrolytes. It is important in enabling the body to digest and absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins D and K.
What Bile Is, Where It’s Made, and What It Does
Terms
To fully understand how the biliary system works, it’s important to know the definition of some related medical terms, including the following:
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Function of the Biliary System
There are three important functions of the biliary system:
Biliary System Anatomy
The organs, ducts, and other structures of the biliary system are located in the upper-right abdominal quadrant, while the gallbladder is located just below the liver.
The extrahepatic ducts are located outside of the liver and are connected to the liver and gallbladder. Their function is to transport bile. Note that some bile ducts are also located inside the liver. These drain bile out of the organ and are called intrahepatic ducts.
Structure
The biliary system is comprised of a series of ducts, organs, and other structures responsible for producing, storing, and transporting bile. The bile is made in the cells of the liver and travels to the gallbladder to be stored for later use.
When you eat a fatty meal, the bile is released and travels to the small intestine through this system of ducts to its final destination, the duodenum.
Bile Flow Through the Biliary System
Bile travels in a controlled manner through the system of ducts and other structures of the biliary system:
Anatomical Variations
Aberrant ducts are a common variation from the normal anatomy of the biliary system. Aberrant ducts are not anatomically structured the way they should be. For example, the ducts may abnormally join the wrong ducts, so that bile does not flow properly.
In fact, according to a 2006 study published inLiver and Biliary Tract Surgery, “50% of patients presenting with gallbladder stones or common bile duct stones show a significant variation from what is generally considered as the expected normal pattern.”
A 2011 study discovered as many as 22 variations of bile ducts in 59.5% of the study participants who had liver surgery.These included an extra right hepatic duct (in which a cystic duct drained) and five other abnormalities that had never been described before.
Variation from the normal anatomy of the bile ducts is a primary reason the ducts get inadvertently injured during some types of surgery.
Associated Conditions
Biliary disease describes any condition that affects the gallbladder, bile ducts, and other structures needed to produce and transport bile.Common maladies of the biliary system include gallbladder disease, biliary colic, and bile duct obstruction.
Gallbladder Disease
Gallstones are the most common gallbladder condition, but tumors and acuteacalculous cholecystitis(sudden, severe inflammation of the gallbladder without gallstones) are other common types of biliary disease.
Biliary Colic
If the obstruction is not removed or the gallstone doesn’t pass on its own, it results in cholecystitis (an acute inflammation of the gallbladder).
An Overview of Biliary Colic
Bile Duct Obstruction
Treatment
Treatment for biliary disease may include:
Several types of tests are done to diagnose abnormalities and diseases of the biliary system.
Summary
The biliary system includes the series of ducts and organs that produce, secrete, and store bile. Bile is a greenish-brown substance that helps break down fats and absorb nutrients. Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It is released when you eat a fatty meal.
Gallstones can cause problems in the biliary system when they block bile ducts. Conditions of the biliary system are usually diagnosed with liver function tests and/or imaging tests or biopsy.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Di Ciaula A, Garruti G, Lunardi Baccetto R, et al.Bile acid physiology.Ann Hepatol. 2017;16 Suppl 1:S4-S14. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0010.5493MedlinePlus.Duodenum.Dave HD, Shumway KR, Al Obaidi NM.Physiology, biliary. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for gallstones.Hundt M, Wu CY, Young M. Anatomy,Abdomen and pelvis: biliary ducts. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Karaliotas CC, Papaconstantinou T, Karaliotas CC.Anatomical variations and anomalies of the biliary tree, veins and arteries. In: Karaliotas CC, Broelsch CE, Habib NA, eds.Liver and Biliary Tract Surgery. Springer; 2006:35–48.Kostov DV, Kobakov GL.Six rare biliary tract anatomic variations: implications for liver surgery.EAJM. 2011;43(2):67-72. doi:10.5152/eajm.2011.16Gu XX, Zhang MP, Zhao YF, Huang GM.Clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with biliary disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(14):1638-1646. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i14.1638Gallaher JR, Charles A.Acute cholecystitis: A review.JAMA. 2022;327(10):965-975. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.2350
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Di Ciaula A, Garruti G, Lunardi Baccetto R, et al.Bile acid physiology.Ann Hepatol. 2017;16 Suppl 1:S4-S14. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0010.5493MedlinePlus.Duodenum.Dave HD, Shumway KR, Al Obaidi NM.Physiology, biliary. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for gallstones.Hundt M, Wu CY, Young M. Anatomy,Abdomen and pelvis: biliary ducts. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Karaliotas CC, Papaconstantinou T, Karaliotas CC.Anatomical variations and anomalies of the biliary tree, veins and arteries. In: Karaliotas CC, Broelsch CE, Habib NA, eds.Liver and Biliary Tract Surgery. Springer; 2006:35–48.Kostov DV, Kobakov GL.Six rare biliary tract anatomic variations: implications for liver surgery.EAJM. 2011;43(2):67-72. doi:10.5152/eajm.2011.16Gu XX, Zhang MP, Zhao YF, Huang GM.Clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with biliary disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(14):1638-1646. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i14.1638Gallaher JR, Charles A.Acute cholecystitis: A review.JAMA. 2022;327(10):965-975. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.2350
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Di Ciaula A, Garruti G, Lunardi Baccetto R, et al.Bile acid physiology.Ann Hepatol. 2017;16 Suppl 1:S4-S14. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0010.5493MedlinePlus.Duodenum.Dave HD, Shumway KR, Al Obaidi NM.Physiology, biliary. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for gallstones.Hundt M, Wu CY, Young M. Anatomy,Abdomen and pelvis: biliary ducts. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Karaliotas CC, Papaconstantinou T, Karaliotas CC.Anatomical variations and anomalies of the biliary tree, veins and arteries. In: Karaliotas CC, Broelsch CE, Habib NA, eds.Liver and Biliary Tract Surgery. Springer; 2006:35–48.Kostov DV, Kobakov GL.Six rare biliary tract anatomic variations: implications for liver surgery.EAJM. 2011;43(2):67-72. doi:10.5152/eajm.2011.16Gu XX, Zhang MP, Zhao YF, Huang GM.Clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with biliary disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(14):1638-1646. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i14.1638Gallaher JR, Charles A.Acute cholecystitis: A review.JAMA. 2022;327(10):965-975. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.2350
Di Ciaula A, Garruti G, Lunardi Baccetto R, et al.Bile acid physiology.Ann Hepatol. 2017;16 Suppl 1:S4-S14. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0010.5493
MedlinePlus.Duodenum.
Dave HD, Shumway KR, Al Obaidi NM.Physiology, biliary. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for gallstones.
Hundt M, Wu CY, Young M. Anatomy,Abdomen and pelvis: biliary ducts. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Karaliotas CC, Papaconstantinou T, Karaliotas CC.Anatomical variations and anomalies of the biliary tree, veins and arteries. In: Karaliotas CC, Broelsch CE, Habib NA, eds.Liver and Biliary Tract Surgery. Springer; 2006:35–48.
Kostov DV, Kobakov GL.Six rare biliary tract anatomic variations: implications for liver surgery.EAJM. 2011;43(2):67-72. doi:10.5152/eajm.2011.16
Gu XX, Zhang MP, Zhao YF, Huang GM.Clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with biliary disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(14):1638-1646. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i14.1638
Gallaher JR, Charles A.Acute cholecystitis: A review.JAMA. 2022;327(10):965-975. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.2350
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