Spiral valves of Heister

Spiral valves of Heister

Spiral valves of Heister are undulating folds or valves in the proximal mucosa of the cystic duct. The cystic duct attaches the gallbladder to the common bile duct.

The spiral valves of Heister are supported by underlying smooth muscle fibers. There is some uncertainty regarding the role of the folds. Historically, physicians believed that their function was to aid in the passage of bile to and from the gallbladder, as well as regulate the degree of gallbladder distension.

The presence of the spiral folds, in combination with the tortuosity of the cystic duct, makes endoscopic cannulation and catheterization of the cystic duct extremely difficult. Also, the valves of Heister impede the introduction of surgical instruments and are susceptible to lacerations. They were named after German anatomist Lorenz Heister (1683-1758).

References

* [http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/21/1/3 The Cystic Duct: Normal Anatomy and Disease Processes]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lorenz Heister — Nacimiento 19 de septi …   Wikipedia Español

  • Lorenz Heister — (Latin: Laurentius Heister) (September 19, 1683 April 18, 1758) was a German anatomist, surgeon and botanist who was a native of Frankfurt am Main. From 1702 to 1706 he studied at the Universities of Giessen and Wetzlar, and afterwards went to… …   Wikipedia

  • List of human anatomical parts named after people — This is a list of human anatomical parts named after people. :For other lists of eponyms (names derived from people) see eponym.:For a list of eponyms sorted by name see List of eponyms.Alphabetical listFor clarity, entries are listed by the name …   Wikipedia

  • valve — 1. A fold of the lining membrane of a canal or other hollow organ serving to retard or prevent a reflux of fluid. 2. Any formation or reduplication of tissue, or flaplike structure …   Medical dictionary

  • digestive system, human — Introduction  the system used in the human body for the process of digestion. The human digestive system consists primarily of the digestive tract (alimentary canal), or the series of structures and organs through which food and liquids pass… …   Universalium

  • fold — 1. A ridge or margin apparently formed by the doubling back of a lamina. SYN: plica. 2. In the embryo, a transient elevation or reduplication of tissue in the form of a lamina …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”