Final answer:
When the gallbladder contracts, bile is first released into the cystic duct before traveling through the common bile duct to the small intestine.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the gallbladder contracts, bile is first ejected into the cystic duct. The gallbladder, a small organ that functions in bile storage and concentration, releases bile through the cystic duct when needed by the small intestine. This bile eventually moves from the cystic duct to the common bile duct, and from there, it is secreted into the duodenum of the small intestine. The duodenum utilizes the bile to neutralize acidic chyme from the stomach and emulsify fats, facilitating digestion.