The bile duct is usually about seven to nine centimeters long, but varies with the length of the hepatic and cystic ducts. Its normal diameter is about six millimeters. It is formed in the lesser omentum, by the union of the hepatic and cystic ducts, either just inside or outside of the porta hepatis. It runs first between the layers of the lesser omentum and in front and to the right of the hepatic portal vein, along the right border of that omentum, lying to the right of the hepatic artery. In the second part of its course, it passes behind the first portion of the duodenum lying in front of the portal vein and to the right of the gastroduodenal artery. Then it passes along the left side of the second portion of the duodenum and behind the head of the pancreas, in front of the inferior vena cava, and finally turns slightly to the right, descending between the second portion of the duodenum and the head of the pancreas. As it passes downward it may be completely enclosed in pancreatic tissue. It is joined by the pancreatic duct, and together they obliquely pierce the wall of the left side of the lower part of the second portion of the duodenum. The bile duct is loosely connected with the surrounding parts by connective tissue.

Ductus biliaris

Ductus choledochus

Conduit cholédoque

Hepático