Pancreatic Duct
The structure indicated is the
pancreatic duct (duct of Wirsung) of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ which lies posteriorly to the
stomach and extends from the
duodenum to the
spleen. The pancreatic duct extends from the tail of the pancreas through the body of the pancreas into the head of the pancreas where it joins the
common bile duct to form the
hepatopancreatic ampulla, also known as the
ampulla of Vater, which empties into the descending duodenum at the
major duodenal papilla. In addition to the main pancreatic duct, there is also an
accessory pancreatic duct (
duct of Santorini), which empties into the
minor duodenal papilla. Obstruction of the pancreatic duct, commonly due to gallstones can lead to
acute pancreatitis. Learn more about the basic anatomy of the organs of the digestive system in
this tutorial.