European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 17 - Number 4
Eur J Anat, 17 (4): 193-201 (2013)

The pancreatic ductal system and biliaropancreatic union: a study of 50 cases

Lucas N. Pina, Leonardo Abramson, Franca S. Samoilovich,Agustín Rodriguez, Débora C. Knaus, María L. Tartaglia, Dario S. Novelliand Luis A.C. Lopolito

Laboratorio de Técnicas Anatómicas del Centro de Disección e Investigaciones Anatómicas (CeDIA), III Cátedra de Anatomía Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

ABSTRACT Since its discovery in the 17th century, the anatomy of the pancreatic ductal system and its variations has been studied by numerous authors around the world, and Argentina is not an exception. Nevertheless, most of these researches were carried out upon non representative or insufficient population samples in order to determine a reliable amount of evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to detail the course and distribution of pancreatic ducts and their convergence with the bile duct in adult corpses in the Medicine Faculty of Buenos Aires University. This scientific research has been developed under a non-experimental cross section descriptive design. Gross macroscopic classic dissection was performed in (n=50) adult human cadaveric pancreas-duodenum with no criteria of exclusion. The dissections were made using microsurgical tools and optical magnification devices. The measurements were obtained by means of a vernier caliper and a protractor. In addition, a digital photo camera was used in order to achieve the necessary photographic documentation of the results. The variables under study were recorded for statistic analysis. The exocrine pancreas ducts and their union with the bile duct were dissected and exhibited in all anatomical pieces. The morphological patrons were established in terms of length and gauge of the principal and accessory ducts, number of tributaries, distribution and course within the gland. Finally, we registered the angle between principal pancreas duct and bile duct, and between principal and accessory pancreatic ducts. We evaluated the degree of duct suppression, and the features of the biliaropancreatic ampulla, and major and minor duodenal papillae. According to the results, there were patterns of distribution of pancreatic ducts and biliaropancreatic union that provide anatomical basis for an etiopathogenic analysis of acute biliary pancreatitis.

Keywords: Pancreas, Pancreatic ducts, Biliaropancreatic union, Biliaropancreatic ampulla, Uncinate process, Duodenal papillae

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)