Gallbladder and Common Bile Duct Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the gallbladder?

To detoxify blood

To absorb nutrients

To produce bile

To receive and concentrate bile (correct)

Which structure directly connects the gallbladder to the common hepatic duct?

Cystic duct (correct)

Common bile duct

Hepatic vein

Pancreatic duct

What surrounds the terminal parts of the bile duct and pancreatic duct in the duodenum?

Connective tissue

Circular muscle (correct)

Mucosal layer

Smooth muscle

Which artery supplies blood to the gallbladder?

Cystic artery Signup and view all the answers

What structure is located near the neck of the gallbladder and is involved in lymph drainage?

Cystic lymph node Signup and view all the answers

Where does the common bile duct typically open into?

Duodenum Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the gallbladder?

Head Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the liver is the gallbladder associated with?

Right lobe Signup and view all the answers

What hormone is responsible for the contraction of the gallbladder in response to fatty food?

Cholecystokinin Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the pancreas lies within the concavity of the duodenum?

Head Signup and view all the answers

Which duct of the pancreas directly joins the common bile duct?

Main pancreatic duct Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the pancreas is considered retroperitoneal?

All parts except the tail Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the exocrine portion of the pancreas?

Enzyme secretion for digestion Signup and view all the answers

Which arteries supply blood to the pancreas?

Splenic and pancreaticoduodenal arteries Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the pancreatic ducts?

The main and accessory ducts usually communicate with each other. Signup and view all the answers

The tail of the pancreas ends as it passes between which structures?

Layers of the splenorenal ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the portal vein?

Transport venous blood from the abdominal organs Signup and view all the answers

From which veins does the portal vein form?

Splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein Signup and view all the answers

Where does the portal vein enter the liver?

After dividing into right and left branches Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during portosystemic anastomosis?

Blood flow to the liver decreases significantly Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a tributary of the portal vein?

Renal vein Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the body contains anastomoses between the portal and systemic circulation?

Lower part of the esophagus Signup and view all the answers

Where are lymph nodes primarily located in relation to the spleen?

Along the arteries that supply the spleen Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical feature allows the spleen to connect to the stomach?

Gastrosplenic ligament Signup and view all the answers

How does the body compensate for increased portal vein pressure?

By diverting blood to collateral channels Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Caput Medusae related to portal hypertension?

It represents visible collateral circulation around the umbilical area Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the splenic hilum?

Entry point for splenic vessels Signup and view all the answers

Which organ lies along the medial border of the spleen?

Left kidney Signup and view all the answers

How does the splenic artery travel in relation to the pancreas?

Along the upper border Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT part of the greater omentum as it relates to the spleen?

Peritoneal membrane Signup and view all the answers

Which vessels drain lymphatic fluid from the spleen?

Celiac and superior mesenteric lymph nodes Signup and view all the answers

What anatomical position describes the spleen's relation to the diaphragm?

Posteriorly positioned Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gallbladder

Pear-shaped sac located on the right lobe of the liver
Divided into the fundus, body, and neck
Receives, concentrates, and stores bile from the liver
Surrounded by peritoneum
Anteriorly related to the anterior abdominal wall and the inferior surface of the liver
Posteriorly related to the transverse colon and the first and second parts of the duodenum
Neck connects to the cystic duct, joining the common hepatic duct to form the common bile duct

Common Bile Duct

Approximately 8 cm long
Lies in the right free margin of the lesser omentum
Pierces the medial wall of the second part of the duodenum
Joins the main pancreatic duct to form the hepatopancreatic ampulla (ampulla of Vater)
Terminal parts of both ducts and the ampulla are surrounded by the sphincter of the hepatopancreatic ampulla (sphincter of Oddi)

Gallbladder Blood Supply

Supplied by the cystic artery, a branch of the right hepatic artery
Drained by the cystic vein, which empties into the portal vein
Lymph drains into a cystic lymph node near the neck, then to hepatic nodes, and finally to celiac nodes
Innervated by sympathetic and parasympathetic vagal fibers forming the celiac plexus

Pancreas

Both an exocrine and endocrine gland
Exocrine portion produces enzymes for digesting proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
Endocrine portion, the pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans), produces insulin and glucagon, which regulate carbohydrate metabolism
Located mostly posterior to the stomach
Extends across the posterior abdominal wall from the duodenum to the spleen
Retroperitoneal except for a small part of the tail
Divided into head, uncinate process, neck, body, and tail
Head lies within the C-shaped concavity of the duodenum
Uncinate process projects from the lower part of the head
Neck sits anterior to the superior mesenteric vessels
Tail ends between layers of the splenorenal ligament

Pancreatic Duct

Begins in the tail, runs through the body, and turns inferiorly in the head
Joins the bile duct in the lower part of the head
Forms the hepatopancreatic ampulla (ampulla of Vater) with the common bile duct, which enters the descending duodenum at the major duodenal papilla
Accessory pancreatic duct opens into the duodenum above the major duodenal papilla at the minor duodenal papilla
Main and accessory pancreatic ducts often communicate

Pancreas Blood Supply

Supplied by the splenic and superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries
Drained by corresponding veins into the portal system
Lymph nodes are situated along the arteries, draining into celiac and superior mesenteric lymph nodes

Spleen

Largest single mass of lymphoid tissue in the body
Develops as part of the vascular system in the dorsal mesentery
Red, oval-shaped with a notched anterior border
Located beneath the left diaphragm, close to the 9th, 10th, and 11th ribs
Lower pole extends to the mid-axillary line
Surrounded by peritoneum and connected to:
- Greater curvature of the stomach by the gastrosplenic ligament, containing short gastric and gastro-omental vessels
- Left kidney by the splenorenal ligament, containing splenic vessels and tail of pancreas
Both ligaments are parts of the greater omentum
Surrounded by visceral peritoneum, except at the hilum on the medial surface
Hilum is the entry point for splenic vessels and the tail of the pancreas

Spleen Location

Anteriorly related to:
- Stomach
- Tail of the pancreas
- Left colic flexure
Left kidney along its medial border
Posteriorly related to:
- Diaphragm
- Left pleura (left costodiaphragmatic recess)
- Left lung
- 9th, 10th, and 11th ribs

Spleen Blood Supply

Supplied by the splenic artery, the largest branch of the celiac artery
Splenic vein leaves the hilum, runs behind the tail and body of the pancreas
Joins the superior mesenteric vein behind the neck of the pancreas to form the portal vein
Lymph vessels from the hilum drain into nodes along the splenic artery and then into the celiac nodes

Spleen Functions

Mechanical filtration of red blood cells
Active immune response
Produces all types of blood cells during fetal life
Stores red blood cells, lymphocytes, and other formed elements

Portal Venous System

Final common pathway for venous blood from the abdominal part of the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder
About 2 in. (5 cm) long
Formed by the union of the splenic vein and the superior mesenteric vein posterior to the neck of the pancreas at the level of vertebra L2
Ascends toward the liver, passes behind the first part of the duodenum and enters the right margin of the lesser omentum
Sits anterior to the omental foramen and posterior to the bile duct and the hepatic artery proper
Enters the liver after dividing into right and left branches

Portal Vein Tributaries

Splenic vein
Left gastric vein
Right gastric vein
Cystic vein
Inferior mesenteric vein
Superior mesenteric vein

Portosystemic Anastomosis

Connections between veins of the portal circulation and those of the systemic circulation
Allows for blood flow to bypass the liver during elevated portal vein pressure (e.g. cirrhosis)
Collateral channels drain into the systemic circulation at specific points:
- Lower part of the esophagus (left gastric and azygos veins)
- Rectum (superior and inferior rectal veins)
- Paraumbilical (paraumbilical and superficial epigastric veins)
- Retroperitoneal (splenic and renal veins)
- Intrahepatic (left branch of portal vein and inferior vena cava)

Caput Medusae

Distinctive pattern of dilated veins around the umbilicus, indicative of portal hypertension
Occurs due to the paraumbilical portosystemic anastomosis
Systemic blood flow is rerouted through these veins due to increased pressure in the portal system

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Description

Explore the anatomy of the gallbladder and common bile duct with this quiz. Learn about their structure, blood supply, and relational anatomy with surrounding organs. Perfect for students studying human anatomy and physiology.