Major duodenal papilla

Major duodenal papilla
Interior of the descending portion of the duodenum, showing bile papilla.
The pancreatic duct.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	papilla duodeni major
Dorlands /Elsevier	p_03/12610350
TA	A05.6.02.015
FMA	15074
Anatomical terminology []

The major duodenal papilla is an opening of the pancreatic duct into the duodenum. The major duodenal papilla is, in most people, the primary mechanism for the secretion of bile and other enzymes that facilitate digestion.

The major duodenal papilla is situated in the second part of the duodenum, 7-10 cm from the pylorus, at the level of the second or third lumbar vertebrae. It is surrounded by the sphincter of Oddi, and receives a mixture of pancreatic enzymes and bile from the Ampulla of Vater, which drains both the pancreatic duct and biliary system. The junction between the foregut and midgut occurs directly below the major duodenal papilla.

The major duodenal papilla is seen from the duodenum as lying within a mucosal fold. The minor duodenal papilla is situated 2cm proximal.

The major duodenal papilla is occasionally found in the third part of the duodenum, the level of the vertebrae may be L2-3, and in about 10% of people, it may not receive bile. Additionally, in a small number of people, the primary papilla for draining the pancreas may in fact be the accessory pancreatic duct.

The major duodenal papilla was first illustrated by Gottfreid Bidloo in 1685, although is sometimes called the papilla of Vater, after German anatomist Abraham Vater.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)