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Biliary system

The biliary system creates, moves, stores, and releases bile into the duodenum. This helps the body digest food. It also assists in transporting waste products from the liver to the duodenum.

The biliary system includes:

  • The gallbladder
  • Bile ducts and certain cells inside the liver
  • Bile ducts outside the liver

Alternative Names

Biliary tract; Bile tract

Images

References

Hall JE, Hall ME. Secretory functions of the alimentary tract. In: Hall JE, Hall ME ed. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 65.

Radkani P, Hawksworth J, Fishbein T. Biliary system. In: Townsend CM, R. Beauchamp D, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Elsevier;2022:chap 55.

Review Date 7/25/2022

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.