Final answer:
The common hepatic duct joins with the cystic duct to become the common bile duct, which then transports bile to the small intestine for digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common hepatic duct becomes the common bile duct when it joins with the cystic duct from the gallbladder. Bile produced by hepatocytes in the liver travels through canaliculi into bile ductules and then into bile ducts, merging to form the right and left hepatic ducts.
These ducts exit the liver as the common hepatic duct, which, upon joining the cystic duct, becomes the common bile duct and directs bile into the small intestine. The bile assists in neutralizing acidic chyme, emulsifying fats, and absorbing vitamin K.