Final answer:
Potts scissors are used to open the common bile duct during exploratory surgeries. They play a vital role in procedures involving bile ducts, which are key to fat digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scissors used to open the common bile duct during duct exploration are called Potts scissors. They are specifically designed for surgical procedures involving the bile duct, which is a critical component in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile, produced by hepatocytes, flows through bile canaliculi, ductules, and ducts before passing into the common bile duct and entering the duodenum. Diagnosing issues related to the bile duct system might involve tests such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which can visualize the structure of the common bile duct and other related ducts.