Expansion
Main duct of Wirsung to the major papilla; accessory duct of Santorini to the minor papilla
Expansion
- Main pancreatic duct (of Wirsung) - runs the length of the gland, joins the bile duct at the ampulla of Vater, opens at the major papilla
- Accessory pancreatic duct (of Santorini) - drains part of the head, opens at the minor papilla about 2 cm proximal
The arrangement reflects development. The pancreas forms from a ventral and a dorsal bud. The ventral bud rotates behind the duodenum to fuse with the dorsal bud, and their ducts normally join so that most of the gland drains through the ventral duct into the ampulla.
Failure of fusion gives pancreas divisum, present in around 5 to 10 per cent of people, in which most of the gland drains through the small minor papilla, a recognised cause of recurrent pancreatitis.