Stereomatic constants of the biliary tree in normal functional state and during experimental cholestasis

It has been found from the study of cholangiograms and laboratory specimens of biliary systems of human beings and dog's that the decrease in average diameters of biliary ducts during their passage from the hepatic portals to the periphery, is in accordance with the equation D = e-kz+b (z--sequence no of the duct, D--diameter of the duct, k--rate of change in the diameter, b--logarithm of diameter when z = 0). It has been established that parameter (b) defines size of the liver, and parameter (k) does not depend upon hepatic dimensions and changes during pathological processes. The use of (k) is recommended as an aid in defining the general character of dynamics of the duration of a given pathology.