Ampulla of Vater

The ampulla of Vater, hepatopancreatic ampulla or hepatopancreatic duct is the common duct that is usually formed by a union of the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct within the wall of the duodenum. This common duct usually features a dilation ("ampulla"). The common duct then opens medially into the descending part of the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla. The common duct usually measures 2-10mm in length.

Not to be confused with the Duodenal cap also known as the duodenal ampulla, the first part of the duodenum.

Ampulla of Vater
A diagram of the biliary system. Note that the ampulla of Vater is behind the major duodenal papilla.
The major duodenal papilla, seen on duodenoscopy at the time of ERCP. This is the protrusion of the ampulla of Vater into the duodenum.
Details
Identifiers
Latinampulla hepatopancreatica, ampulla Vaterii
MeSHD014670
TA98A05.8.02.017
TA23111
FMA15076
Anatomical terminology

The ampulla of Vater is an important landmark halfway along the second part of the duodenum marking the transition from foregut to midgut.

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