Answer to Poison Ivy Should be Called Green Ivy
Correct answer is B. In non pathological conditions, bile is produced in the liver, then flows through the right and left hepatic ducts to enter the common hepatic duct, then flows to the cystic duct and is stored in gallbladder. The gallbladder then constricts and bile flows back to the cystic duct, then to the common bile duct and finally into the duodenum. It is in the cystic duct that bile can travel in both directions. In the portal circulation, whatever bile enters the venous return should only travel into the body’s general circulation in one direction. The bile does not enter the pancreas. It empties into the second part of the duodenum at the ampulla of Vater. Also, when the gall bladder was turned to show its back side, did you notice the additional cystic duct traveling from the bile duct to the gall bladder? These are called the ducts of Luschka and several can be present.
= Bile duct
= Cystic duct
= Common hepatic duct
= Portal vein
= Head of pancreas
Answer to this question is based on material presented in lectures 7 of the Abdomen Lecture Series.
