Final answer:
Bile is transported from the gallbladder through the cystic duct, while bile from the liver is carried by the hepatic ducts. Both ducts merge to form the common bile duct that leads bile into the small intestine for digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bile drains from the gallbladder via the cystic duct and drains from the liver via the hepatic ducts. These two ducts unite to form the common bile duct.
The process begins when hepatocytes in the liver secrete bile into small channels known as bile canaliculi. Bile then flows into bile ductules and larger bile ducts within the liver. The ducts converge to form the right and left hepatic ducts, which exit the liver and merge into the common hepatic duct. Meanwhile, bile that is not immediately needed for digestion is stored in the gallbladder. When needed, this stored bile is released into the cystic duct. Eventually, the cystic duct and the common hepatic duct come together to form the common bile duct, through which bile is transported into the small intestine, particularly the duodenum, where it plays an essential role in the digestion of lipids.