Common Hepatic Duct (Ductus hepaticus communis)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The common hepatic duct is a major extrahepatic biliary conduit formed near the porta hepatis by the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts. Descending approximately 3–4 cm within the right free margin of the lesser omentum (hepatoduodenal ligament) anterior to the portal vein, it unites with the cystic duct to form the common bile duct.
Clinical notes
Klatskin tumors (hilar cholangiocarcinomas) originate at the junction of the right and left hepatic ducts, causing progressive painless obstructive jaundice and biliary dilation.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Common Hepatic Duct?
The common hepatic duct is a major extrahepatic biliary conduit formed near the porta hepatis by the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts. Descending approximately 3–4 cm within the right free margin of the lesser omentum (hepatoduodenal ligament) anterior to the portal vein, it unites with the cystic duct to form the common bile duct.
Why is the Common Hepatic Duct clinically important?
Klatskin tumors (hilar cholangiocarcinomas) originate at the junction of the right and left hepatic ducts, causing progressive painless obstructive jaundice and biliary dilation.
Source & license
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