title: Anatomy and embryology of the biliary tract.
abstract: Working knowledge of extrahepatic biliary anatomy is of paramount importance to the general surgeon. The embryologic development of the extrahepatic biliary tract is discussed in this article as is the highly variable anatomy of the biliary tract and its associated vasculature. The salient conditions related to the embryology and anatomy of the extrahepatic biliary tract, including biliary atresia, choledochal cysts, gallbladder agenesis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and ducts of Luschka, are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, 395 West 12th Avenue, Room 654, Columbus, OH 43210-1267, USA.
authors.forename: Kara M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Keplinger
authors.affiliation: Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, 320 West 10th Avenue, M256 Starling Loving Hall, Columbus, OH 43210-1267, USA. Electronic address: Mark.Bloomston@osumc.edu.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bloomston
mesh_terms: D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D015529:Choledochal Cyst / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000002:abnormalities; D006801:Humans
keywords: Anatomy; Biliary tree; Embryology; Gallbladder; Portal triad