duct

anatomical duct

A tubular structure that transports secreted or excreted substances.

Tipo Organ
Estructura principal organ subunit
Nombre latino anatomical duct
FMA ID 30320

Subestructuras

neurohypophyseal duct Nerve paraurethral duct Gland renal duct Organ duct of eccrine sweat gland Gland submucosal gland ciliated duct Gland submucosal gland collecting duct Gland transverse canal Organ digestive system duct Organ excretory duct Organ duct of apocrine sweat gland Gland duct of male reproductive system Organ duct of olfactory gland Gland duct of sebaceous gland Gland duct of vestibular gland Gland ductus communicans Organ Harderian gland duct Gland intralobular duct Organ mammary duct Organ venom gland duct Gland

Preguntas frecuentes

What is a duct and how does it differ from a vessel?
A duct is a tubular structure specialized for transporting secreted or excreted substances produced by glands — such as bile, saliva, enzymes, or hormones. Unlike blood vessels (which carry blood) or lymphatics (which carry lymph), ducts convey the products of specific glandular tissues to their destination, whether that is another organ or a body surface. Ducts are lined by epithelium whose cell type and properties vary with the substance being transported.
What are examples of major ducts in the human body?
Major ducts include: the common bile duct (carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum), the pancreatic duct (carries pancreatic enzymes to the duodenum), the parotid duct or Stensen's duct (carries saliva from the parotid gland to the mouth), the thoracic duct (largest lymphatic vessel, carries lymph to the venous circulation), and the vas deferens (carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct).
What happens when a duct becomes obstructed?
Duct obstruction prevents the normal outflow of secretions, causing them to back up and potentially damage the gland that produces them. Bile duct obstruction (by gallstones or tumor) causes jaundice and cholestasis. Pancreatic duct obstruction leads to pancreatitis, where digestive enzymes begin digesting the pancreas itself. Salivary duct obstruction (by calculi or strictures) causes painful swelling of the affected gland, especially during eating.

Estructuras relacionadas

mucus body coating mucous body coating mucus cocoon mucous cocoon Mullerian duct ductus paramesonephricus multi cell part structure cell part cluster multicellular anatomical structure multicellular structure multilaminar epithelium laminated epithelium multi-tissue structure multi-tissue structures multi-unit eye

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Educational Disclaimer

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Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.