Ductus pancreaticus accessorius
The Ductus pancreaticus accessorius is a secondary duct of the pancreas, also known as the accessory pancreatic duct. It is not present in all individuals but when it is, it plays a role in the drainage of pancreatic juices into the duodenum which is the first part of the small intestine.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The Ductus pancreaticus accessorius typically branches from the main pancreatic duct (Ductus pancreaticus major or Wirsung's duct) and drains separately into the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla, which is located proximally to the major duodenal papilla where the main pancreatic duct drains. The presence and size of the Ductus pancreaticus accessorius can vary significantly among individuals. In some cases, it may be the main drainage duct if the main pancreatic duct is underdeveloped.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the Ductus pancreaticus accessorius is to transport digestive enzymes and bicarbonate from the pancreas to the duodenum. These enzymes are crucial for the digestion of food, particularly fats and proteins.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The Ductus pancreaticus accessorius can be involved in certain medical conditions:
- Pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas can involve the accessory duct as well as the main pancreatic duct.
- Pancreatic cancer - Tumors may impact the accessory duct by causing obstructions.
- Congenital anomalies - Variations in the development of the pancreatic ducts can lead to digestive issues or increase the risk of pancreatitis.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
