Definition

1. Noun:
   • Anatomical Structure: The common bile duct is a tube-like passage that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder into the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). It is formed by the union of the hepatic duct (from the liver) and the cystic duct (from the gallbladder).

Usage

• The term is used primarily in medical, anatomical, and biological contexts to describe a specific part of the digestive system.
• It is a countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • A gallstone can become lodged in the common bile duct, causing pain and jaundice.
  • During the surgery, the surgeon carefully identified the common bile duct.
  • The common bile duct opens into the duodenum via the ampulla of Vater.

Advanced Usage

• "Common bile duct obstruction": A medical condition where the duct is blocked, often by a stone or tumor.
  • The patient was diagnosed with common bile duct obstruction.
• "Common bile duct exploration": A surgical procedure to examine or clear the duct.
  • The surgeon performed a common bile duct exploration to remove the stones.

Variants and Related Words

• Bile duct (n): A more general term for any duct that carries bile. The common bile duct is a specific bile duct.
• Choledochus (n): A technical/medical synonym for the common bile duct.
• Choledochal (adj): Pertaining to the common bile duct (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Choledochus: The anatomical Latin term.
• (The) bile duct: While this is a broader term, it is often used contextually to refer to the common bile duct.

Related Phrases

• Common bile duct stone: A gallstone located within the common bile duct.
  • ERCP is a procedure used to treat a common bile duct stone.
• Common bile duct cancer: A rare cancer affecting this duct.
  • The prognosis for common bile duct cancer depends on early detection.

Noun

1. a duct formed by the hepatic and cystic ducts; opens into the duodenum