ABSTRACT
Introduction: The cystic duct connects the gallbladder to the extra hepatic bile duct. In its endoluminal surface are the mucosal folds which are characteristic of the duct. Aim:-The aim was to study the length and mid-length diameter of the cystic duct and the mucosal folds of its endoluminal surface with respect to their number, location, and orientation. Subjects and Methods: This study was carried out in the Anatomy Department of Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vadodara, on 40 specimens of 10% formalin fixed human cystic ducts, from 2015 to 2018, after obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The cystic duct was isolated and its lumen was exposed by an incision parallel to its length to study the folds. Results: The length of the cystic duct was between 0.4 to 4.2 cm, and the diameter was between 0.2-0.6cm. The mucosal folds were present in 38(95%) specimens and were absent in two (5%). The maximum number of mucosal folds present in a specimen was eleven. In the 25 (62. 5%) specimens they spanned the entire length and in 13(32.5%) they were present only in the proximal part. Their disposition was either oblique, transverse interdigitating, combination type or saccular. Conclusion: It gives insight into the internal morphology of the cystic duct. Various types of mucosal folds have been described, the knowledge of which will be important to the laparoscopic surgeons during various interventional approaches undertaken in this region.