During the last decades the concept of bile secretion as merely a way to add detergent components to the intestinal mixture to facilitate fat digestion/absorption and to eliminate side products of heme metabolism has evolved considerably.In the series of mini-reviews that the World Journal of Gastroenterology is to publish in its section of "Highlight Topics",we will intend to give a brief but updated overview of our knowledge in this field.This introductory letter is intended to thank all scientists who have contributed to the development of this area of knowledge in gastroenterology.