Developer site: The content shown here is test data.

MyEClinic
MyEClinic
Health Dictionary AI Health Chat Find an Online Doctor
A serene Zen garden with raked sand and smooth stones, symbolising clarity and calm

Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

Back to skin conditions

Pancreas divisum pathophysiology

Introduction

Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology

  • Variant of the pancreatic ductal system and occurs in 4%–10% of the population.
  • Dorsal and ventral anlagen of the pancreas fail to fuse.
    • The dorsal duct drains most of the glandular parenchyma through the minor papilla.
    • The smaller ventral duct drains a portion of the pancreatic head, including the uncinate process, through the major papilla.
  • Clinical relevance of pancreas divisum remains controversial.
    • Most patients with pancreas divisum are asymptomatic.
    • In some patients, this anomaly is associated with recurrent episodes of pancreatitis.
    • Postulated that in pancreas divisum, the duct of Santorini and the minor ampulla are too small to adequately drain the secretions produced by the pancreatic body and tail.

Associated Conditions

An association with adenoma of the minor papilla has been reported.[1]

References

References

  1. ↑ Nakamura Y, Tajiri T, Uchida E; et al. (2007). “Adenoma of the minor papilla associated with pancreas divisum”. Hepatogastroenterology. 54 (78): 1841–3. PMID 18019730.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]