Spiral valves of Heister
Encyclopedia
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 cannula
tion 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).
Cystic duct
The cystic duct is the short duct that joins the gall bladder to the common bile duct. It usually lies next to the cystic artery. It is of variable length...
. The cystic duct attaches the gallbladder
Gallbladder
In vertebrates the gallbladder is a small organ that aids mainly in fat digestion and concentrates bile produced by the liver. In humans the loss of the gallbladder is usually easily tolerated....
to the common bile duct
Common bile duct
The common bile duct is a tube-like anatomic structure in the human gastrointestinal tract. It is formed by the union of the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct . It is later joined by the pancreatic duct to form the ampulla of Vater...
.
The spiral valves of Heister are supported by underlying smooth muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
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
Bile
Bile or gall is a bitter-tasting, dark green to yellowish brown fluid, produced by the liver of most vertebrates, that aids the process of digestion of lipids in the small intestine. In many species, bile is stored in the gallbladder and upon eating is discharged into the duodenum...
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 cannula
Cannula
A cannula or canula is a tube that can be inserted into the body, often for the delivery or removal of fluid or for the gathering of data...
tion 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
Lorenz Heister
Lorenz Heister was a German anatomist, surgeon and botanist born in Frankfurt am Main....
(1683-1758).