The left and right hepatic ducts combine to form which of the following?

The left and right hepatic ducts are responsible for draining bile from the respective lobes of the liver. When these two ducts combine, they form the common hepatic duct. This duct is a critical structure in the biliary system, as it serves as a pathway for bile to flow from the liver into the common bile duct and then into the duodenum for digestion. This function is essential for lipid digestion and metabolism.

The common bile duct, while related, is formed when the common hepatic duct merges with the cystic duct from the gallbladder. Thus, it is not directly the result of the combination of the left and right hepatic ducts but rather includes an additional component.

The term biliary tract encompasses the entire system of ducts that transport bile, including the hepatic ducts, cystic duct, and common bile duct, making it a broader term that is not specifically the direct combination of the left and right hepatic ducts.

The celiac artery is unrelated to the biliary system. It is a major arterial supply that branches off the abdominal aorta and delivers blood to the liver, stomach, spleen, and part of the pancreas, among other organs.

Therefore, recognizing the direct anatomical relationship between the left and right hepatic ducts leads us to accurately