Accessory pancreatic duct
Encyclopedia
Most people have just one pancreatic duct
. However, some have an additional accessory pancreatic duct also called the Duct of Santorini, which connects straight to the duodenum
at the minor duodenal papilla
. Both these ducts connect to the second part (the vertical one) of the duodenum
.
However, the Duct of Santorini, which bypasses the Ampulla of Vater, is non-functional whereas the Duct of Wirsung is functional and carries the digestive enzymes released by the pancreas
.
In some cases, the main pancreatic duct is smaller than the accessory pancreatic duct and the two may not be connected. In such people, the accessory duct carries most of the pancreatic juice.
It is named for Giovanni Domenico Santorini
.
Pancreatic duct
The pancreatic duct, or duct of Wirsung , is a duct joining the pancreas to the common bile duct to supply pancreatic juices which aid in digestion provided by the "exocrine pancreas"...
. However, some have an additional accessory pancreatic duct also called the Duct of Santorini, which connects straight to the duodenum
Duodenum
The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum...
at the minor duodenal papilla
Minor duodenal papilla
The minor duodenal papilla is the opening of the accessory pancreatic duct into the duodenum. It is sometimes absent, and often nonfunctional.The other names of minor duodenal papilla is Santorini's minor caruncle....
. Both these ducts connect to the second part (the vertical one) of the duodenum
Duodenum
The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum...
.
However, the Duct of Santorini, which bypasses the Ampulla of Vater, is non-functional whereas the Duct of Wirsung is functional and carries the digestive enzymes released by the pancreas
Pancreas
The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist...
.
In some cases, the main pancreatic duct is smaller than the accessory pancreatic duct and the two may not be connected. In such people, the accessory duct carries most of the pancreatic juice.
It is named for Giovanni Domenico Santorini
Giovanni Domenico Santorini
Giovanni Domenico Santorini was an Italian anatomist. He was a native of Venice, and earned his medical doctorate from Pisa in 1701. He is remembered for his anatomical dissections of the human body....
.