Abstract
The extrahepatic bile duct s of four Pontoporia blainvillei were described macro- and light microscopically. The common hepatic duct is short and is embedded in the cranial thick potrion of the pancreas, and, after receiving the two main pancreatic ducts, enters the duodenum proper at its curved initial part. Since Pontoporia has no gall-bladder the common hepatic duct perforates the duodenal wall as the hepatopancreatic duct which is located intramurally for about 2 cm. No socalled duodenal pouch can be seen there. The papilla duodeni is not remarkable but is located at the caudal end of the plica longitudinalis duodeni. The glandular structures in the bile-passage first appear at the extrahepatic duct. The nature is mucous tubulo-alveolar. The duct glands, which are located in the duodenal wall, are well developed and are similar to those of the duodenum.
