Final answer:
The duct that transports bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum is the common bile duct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common bile duct serves as the conduit for transporting bile from both the liver and the gallbladder to the duodenum, a critical part of the small intestine. Bile, produced by hepatocytes in the liver, initially flows through bile ductules and ducts, coalescing into the common hepatic duct. This duct subsequently unites with the cystic duct, originating from the gallbladder, forming the common bile duct.
The common bile duct plays a pivotal role in directing bile into the duodenum, facilitating its essential functions in digestion. Bile serves several crucial roles, including neutralizing acidic chyme arriving from the stomach, emulsifying fats to enhance their digestion, and aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin K. The coordinated flow of bile through the common bile duct is integral to the digestive process, contributing to the effective breakdown and absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.