Ascending cholangitis
（重定向自Cholangitis）
![](/Images/godic/202501/04/Cholangitis2757.jpg")
![Cholangiogram through a nasobiliary drain showing the common bile duct in black (diagonally from top left to bottom right in the center) with an interruption in the contour due to a large gallstone.](/Images/godic/202501/04/ERCP_stone2758.jpg")
![Diagram showing liver and related parts of the digestive system](/Images/godic/202501/04/Biliary_system_new.svg2758.png")
Ascending cholangitis, also known as acute cholangitis or simply cholangitis, is an infection of the bile duct (cholangitis), usually caused by bacteria ascending from its junction with the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). It tends to occur if the bile duct is already partially obstructed by gallstones.