The small intestine plays a key role in digestion. Find out more about the organ's anatomy, function, and associated diseases. The small intestine plays a key role in digestion.

The common bile duct is a small, tube-like structure formed where the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct join. Its physiological role is to carry bile from the gallbladder and empty it into ...

The anatomy and function of the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, is described in part 3 of this series on the GI tract. Having received acidic chyme from the stomach, the duodenum ...

Pancreas The pancreas is a wing-shaped gland that extends from the duodenum (the upper portion of the small intestine) to the spleen. It serves both digestive and endocrine functions.