Praxis Medical Insights

Est. 2024 • Clinical Guidelines Distilled

Made possible by volunteer editors from the University of Calgary & University of Alberta

Last Updated: 8/26/2025

Anatomical Variations of the Common Bile Duct

Normal Anatomy

  • The common bile duct (CBD) normally opens at the ampulla of Vater in the second portion of the duodenum, which is the most common location, as stated by the American Gastroenterological Association 1, 2