Definition

1. Noun:
   • The duct that drains bile from the liver: A tubular structure that carries bile, a digestive fluid, away from the liver. It is part of the biliary system.

Usage

• The term "hepatic duct" is used in medical, anatomical, and biological contexts to refer specifically to this anatomical structure. It is typically used with definite or indefinite articles ("the hepatic duct," "a hepatic duct").

Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully identified the common hepatic duct during the procedure.
  • A blockage in the hepatic duct can cause jaundice.
  • Bile flows from the liver into the hepatic duct.

Advanced Usage

• "Common hepatic duct": This is a specific anatomical term for the duct formed by the convergence of the right and left hepatic ducts, which then joins the cystic duct to form the common bile duct.
  • The common hepatic duct is a crucial part of the biliary anatomy.

Variants and Related Words

• Common bile duct (n): The duct formed by the union of the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct; it carries bile into the duodenum.
• Cystic duct (n): The duct that connects the gallbladder to the common hepatic duct.
• Biliary duct (n): A general term for any duct that carries bile.

Synonyms

• Bile duct (from the liver): A less specific but related term. Note: "Hepatic duct" is more precise than the general term "bile duct," which can refer to any duct in the biliary tree.

Notes on Meaning

• The "hepatic duct" is distinguished from other bile ducts by its origin and location. It refers specifically to the duct(s) leading directly from the liver, as opposed to the cystic duct (from the gallbladder) or the common bile duct (which carries bile to the intestine).

Noun

1. the duct that drains bile from the liver