Organs with Ducts to the Small Intestine: Pancreas and Liver

Two major glands deliver secretions to the duodenum via ducts:

Pancreas

• Pancreatic duct (duct of Wirsung): Joins common bile duct → major duodenal papilla (ampulla of Vater).
• Accessory pancreatic duct (Santorini): Drains superior head → minor papilla (often patent).
• Secretion: 1.5–3 L/day alkaline fluid with amylase, lipase, proteases, nucleases.

Liver

• Bile canaliculi → hepatic ducts → common hepatic duct → common bile duct (joins pancreatic duct) → major papilla.
• Gallbladder: Stores/concentrates bile via cystic duct.
• Secretion: 500–1000 mL/day bile (bile acids, bilirubin, cholesterol, phospholipids).

Regulation

• Secretin → pancreatic bicarbonate.
• CCK → pancreatic enzymes + gallbladder contraction.
• Vagal stimulation → both.

Disorders: Pancreatitis (duct obstruction), choledocholithiasis (stone in CBD), cholangitis, pancreatic cancer (obstructs duct).