CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES OF THE GALLBLADDER AND BI

CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES OF THE GALLBLADDER AND BILE DUCTS Embryology

The hepatic diverticulum arises from the ventral wall of the foregut and elongates into a stalk to form the choledochus. A lateral bud is given o ff , which is destined to become the gallbladder and cystic duct. The embryonic hepatic duct sends out many branches that join up with the canaliculi between the liver cells. As is usual with embryonic tubular structures, hyper plasia obliterates the lumina of this ductal system; normally recanalisation occurs subsequently and bile begins to flow . During early fetal life the gallbladder is entirely intrahepatic.