Learn Glossary physiology

Enterohepatic circulation

Movement of a substance, such as bile, from the liver to intestine and back.

Cyclic flow in which compounds secreted in bile (bile acids, conjugated bilirubin, certain drugs) are reabsorbed from the terminal ileum, returned to the liver via portal blood, and re-secreted.

How one textbook covers it

  • Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 8th ed. (Gropper)Glossary

    Cyclic flow in which compounds secreted in bile (bile acids, conjugated bilirubin, certain drugs) are reabsorbed from the terminal ileum, returned to the liver via portal blood, and re-secreted.

Related terms

Bile