STRUCTURE AND POSITION 

Common Hepatic Duct is usually 6-8cm long and 6mm wide in adults.

Common Hepatic Duct starts after merging of Left and Right Hepatic Ducts just near the lower border of the liver.

Common Hepatic Duct is connected to Gallbladder via Cystic Duct.

RELATIONS

•  Common Hepatic Duct lies posterior to the Liver.
•  On the Right is Gallbladder connected via cystic duct and right lobe of Liver.
•  Common Hepatic Duct lies anterior to the Inferior Vena Cava and Abdominal Aorta.
•  To the Left is Hepatic Proper Artery.

FUNCTION AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Common Hepatic Duct transfers bile from both sides of liver to intestines via Common Bile Duct. Bile is liver secretion containing enzymes, proteins, lipids and hormones etc which help in digestion and regulation of many other functions.
• Common Hepatic Duct is clinically important in surgery. During removal of Gallbladder care must be taken to identify it properly and not cut or damage it.
• In people with removed Gallbladder Common Hepatic Duct carries increased amount of secretions.
• Common Hepatic Duct can get blocked by mechanical factors like duct stones.
• Common Hepatic Duct can get infected by cancer or liver cirrhosis etc.