sappikanavan

Sappikanavan is the Finnish term for the bile duct, a tubular component of the biliary system that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine. In anatomical terms, bile produced by hepatocytes is collected by progressively larger intrahepatic ducts, which merge into the right and left hepatic ducts. These join to form the common hepatic duct, which meets the cystic duct from the gallbladder to create the common bile duct (ductus choledochus). The common bile duct travels toward the duodenum and typically drains at the hepatopancreatic ampulla, where drainage is regulated by the sphincter of Oddi.

Structure and function: The sappikanavan is lined by cholangiocytes and contains smooth muscle that influences bile flow. Its primary role is to transport bile, a digestive fluid rich in bile acids, phospholipids, cholesterol, and bilirubin. Bile facilitates fat emulsification and digestion and serves as a route for waste products from the liver to be excreted into the digestive tract.

Clinical relevance: Obstruction or inflammation of the sappikanavan can lead to cholestasis, jaundice, and abdominal pain. Common causes include gallstones, biliary strictures, and tumors such as cholangiocarcinoma. Diagnostic approaches include ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Treatments may involve stone extraction, stenting, or surgical intervention to bypass or resect affected segments.

Etymology: The term derives from Finnish sap- “bile” and kanava “channel.” In English medical terminology, the term corresponds to the bile duct, including the common bile duct.