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Right hepatic duct

The right hepatic duct is a major biliary channel draining bile from the right lobe of the liver. It is formed by the confluence of the right anterior and right posterior segmental ducts. It courses toward the liver hilum where it joins the left hepatic duct to form the common hepatic duct, which continues into the extrahepatic biliary system.

This duct is a critical landmark in hepatobiliary anatomy and is evaluated in radiology for gallstone disease, strictures, cholangitis, and malignancies.

Synonyms

  • Right extrahepatic hepatic duct

  • Right main hepatic duct

  • RHD (clinical abbreviation)

Origin, Course, and Termination

  • Origin: Formed by the union of the right anterior segmental duct and right posterior segmental duct within the liver hilum

  • Course: Runs short (about 1–2 cm) within the liver hilum, anterior to the right branch of the portal vein and in close relation to right hepatic artery branches

  • Termination: Joins the left hepatic duct to form the common hepatic duct

Relations

  • Anteriorly: Hepatic parenchyma and peritoneum of porta hepatis

  • Posteriorly: Right portal vein branch

  • Medially: Left hepatic duct (joins to form CHD)

  • Laterally: Right hepatic artery branch

Function

  • Collects bile from the right lobe of the liver (segments V–VIII)

  • Channels bile flow into the common hepatic duct and biliary system

  • Maintains one of the two primary hepatic outflow pathways

Clinical Significance

  • Biliary obstruction: Gallstones, strictures, or cholangiocarcinoma can obstruct the duct

  • Post-surgical relevance: At risk during hepatic resections and cholecystectomy

  • Biliary atresia: Congenital absence or fibrosis may involve right duct

  • Liver transplantation: Ductal anatomy variations affect surgical planning and anastomosis

  • Infections: Can harbor parasites or be affected in cholangitis

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Lumen: dark (low signal) when filled with bile

  • Wall: thin and barely perceptible

T2-weighted images:

  • Lumen: bright (high signal)

  • Wall: thin, hypointense rim

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Bile fluid: bright hyperintense

  • Fat: suppressed and dark, improving contrast with duct

T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

  • Duct wall may show minimal enhancement

  • Strictures, cholangitis, or tumors: wall thickening with enhancement

T2 Fat-Saturated HASTE (single-shot):

  • Duct lumen appears very bright

  • Useful for rapid detection of obstruction or strictures

  • Stones: dark filling defects within bright lumen

T2 TSE Fat-Saturated 3D (MRCP sequence):

  • Duct visualized as a continuous bright tubular structure

  • Allows 3D reconstruction of intrahepatic and extrahepatic ducts

  • Demonstrates strictures, dilatation, or intraluminal defects

Thick-slab T2 Fat-Saturated HASTE:

  • Right hepatic duct appears as a bright tubular structure on projectional MRCP images

  • Quick overview for duct dilatation and obstructions

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Normal duct not well visualized unless dilated

  • Appears as a small low-attenuation tubular structure at liver hilum

  • Calcified stones appear hyperdense

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Duct lumen remains low attenuation

  • Wall may show mild enhancement

  • Pathology (cholangiocarcinoma, strictures, cholangitis) appears as wall thickening, enhancing masses, or abrupt narrowing

MRI image

Right Hepatic Duct mri coronal anatomy image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Right Hepatic Duct mri coronal anatomy image-img-00000-00000