Gallbladder and biliary tree anatomy, variants, cystic lesions

Abstract

It is important to know that the anatomy of the biliary tract is intimately associated with both the liver and the pancreas. These three organs are closely associated with each other during embryologic development. At the 3-mm stage, three buds can be recognized (Fig. 79.1). The cranial bud develops into two lobes of the liver, whereas the caudal bud becomes the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tree. The ventral pancreas, which eventually becomes the pancreatic head and uncinate process, also develops from the caudal bud. At the 7-mm stage, the liver and hepatic ducts have formed. The gallbladder, cystic duct, and ventral pancreas have arisen from the common duct. By the 12-mm stage, the ventral and dorsal buds of the pancreas form the complete pancreas. Within the 8th week of gestation, a completely open lumen has formed in the gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreatic ducts.