| Pancreas divisum | |
 |
The
pancreas in itīs early embryonic
development consists of a dorsal and
a ventral part. In case of incomplete
fusion of both parts during the later
phases of embryonic development, a
pancreas divisum results.
A pancreas divisum consists of a cranial
minor duct (Duct of santorini) draining
most of the organ through the minor
papilla and a lower very short major
duct (Duct of wirsung) draining only a
small portion of the pancreatic head
(fig) through the major papilla.
The cloudy contrast enhancement
corresponds to the opacified parenchyma of the pancreatic head.
Move the mouseīs arrow onto the picture to colour the pancreatic duct.
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| Pancreas divisum - partial | |
 |
In this case both the Duct of wirsung (2) and the duct of santorini (1) can be filled by canulation of the major or the minor papilla. Thus the fusion of the dorsal and ventral pancreatic root has been incomplete. |
