The most common cause of an obstruction in the biliary tree is a bile duct stone (choledocholithiasis). This includes a stone or stones lodged in the common hepatic, cystic or common bile ducts. The causes, symptoms and treatment is discussed further under Bile Duct Stones.
The U.S. Federal government has listed the leatherback as endangered worldwide. Within the U.S., the leatherback is known to nest in Southeastern Florida, Culebra, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix.The leatherback is the largest living turtle and is so distinctive that it is placed in its own separate family, Dermochelys. All other sea turtles have bony hard plates on their shells (carapace).ithin the U.S., the leatherback is known to nest in Southeastern Florida, Culebra, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix. The leatherback is the largest living turtle and is so distinctive that it is placed in its own separate family, Dermochelys. All other sea turtles have bony hard plates on their shells (carapace).
Estimated numbers left in the wild: 60,000 (very approximate). Leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles in the world, and are fourth in size among all current reptiles. Their body is protected only by leathery, oily skin, rather than a hard shell. The leatherbackâs front flippers can grow to a spread of 2.7 meters, and the animal itself measures from 1.8 to 2.2 meters long.