[Arterial circulation of the extrahepatic bile ducts].

The blood supply of the extrahepatic bile ducts was investigated in 15 human specimens. Human embryology explains the origin of the main blood supply in this area by the a. pancreaticoduodenalis posterior superior, the a. cystica and the a. hepatic propria. Other arteries are inconsistent and functionally unimportant. 2 or 3 marginal arteries are predominant in the arterial system surrounding the common bile duct. Surgery of the extrahepatic bile ducts should be performed with respect to this particular arterial network.