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". The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct just prior to the ampulla of Vater, after which both ducts perforate the medial side of the second portion of the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla.

The duct of Wirsung is named after its discoverer, German anatomist Johann Georg Wirsung (1589-1643).^[1]

[edit] Accessory pancreatic duct

Most people have just one pancreatic duct. However, some have an additional accessory pancreatic duct, called the Duct of Santorini.

Compression, obstruction or inflammation of the pancreatic duct may lead to acute pancreatitis. The most common cause for obstruction is choledocholithiasis, or gallstones in the common bile duct.

Accessory digestive system.

Interior of the descending portion of the duodenum, showing bile papilla.

Pancreas of a human embryo of five weeks.

Pancreas of a human embryo at end of sixth week.

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v • d • e Anatomy of torso, digestive system: Digestive glands

Liver	by region: Left lobe (Caudate lobe, Quadrate lobe) • Right lobe • Transverse fissure of liver by function: Fibrous capsule of Glisson • Hepatocyte • Space of Disse • Space of Mall • Kupffer cell • Liver sinusoid • Ito cell • Hepatic lobule bile ducts: Bile canaliculus • Canals of Hering • Interlobular bile ducts • Intrahepatic bile ducts • Left and Right hepatic ducts • Common hepatic duct

Gallbladder	by region: Body • Fundus • Neck ducts: Cystic duct

Pancreas	by region: Tail • Body • Head • Uncinate process by function: Islets of Langerhans • Exocrine pancreas ducts: Pancreatic duct • Accessory pancreatic duct

Common	Common bile duct • Hepatopancreatic ampulla • Sphincter of Oddi