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Hepatopancreatic ampulla
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The hepatopancreatic ampulla, also known as the ampulla of Vater, is a small spherical reservoir located at confluence of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct.
It is found within the wall of the descending duodenum and terminates in its lumen a small elevation called the duodenal papilla.
The hepatopancreatic ampulla is an important anatomical landmark, marking the transition from foregut to midgut.
Various smooth muscle sphincters control the flow of bile and pancreatic juice through the hepatopancreatic ampulla including the sphincter of the pancreatic duct, the sphincter of the bile duct and the hepatopancreatic sphincter, otherwise known as the sphincter of Oddi.
| Terminology |
English: Hepatopancreatic ampulla Synonyms: Biliaropancreatic ampulla, Ampulla of Vater Latin: Ampulla hepatopancreatica Synonyms: Ampulla biliaropancreatica |
| Definition | The hepatopancreatic ampulla is a small spherical reservoir located at confluence of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. |
Learn more about the pancreatic duct system in the following study unit:
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