Minor duodenal papilla

The minor duodenal papilla is contained within the second part of the duodenum. It is situated 2 cm proximal to the major duodenal papilla, and thus 5–8 cm from the opening of the pylorus. The gastroduodenal artery lies posterior.{{cite book|last=Skandalakis|first=editor in chief John E.|title=Skandalakis' surgical anatomy : the embryologic and anatomic basis of modern surgery|year=2004|publisher=PMP|location=Athens, Greece|isbn=9603990744|pages=Chapter 16: Small Intestine}}

The minor duodenal papilla may or may not contain a functioning sphincter and patent duct. When present, the sphincter is known as the sphincter of Helly, and the duct as the accessory pancreatic duct of Santorini. In 10% of people, the minor duodenal papilla is the prime duct for drainage of the pancreas, although in others it may not be present at all.{{cite book|last=Skandalakis|first=editor in chief John E.|title=Skandalakis' surgical anatomy : the embryologic and anatomic basis of modern surgery|year=2004|publisher=PMP|location=Athens, Greece|isbn=9603990744|pages=Chapter 21. Pancreas}}

Pain from the region will be referred to the epigastric region of the abdomen due to its associated dermatomes. {{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

The duct is an embryological remnant, however in a small majority of people drains the pancreas. It is present in several domestic animals (e.g., dogs, cats and horses), being the sole drain of the pancreas in pigs and cows through the ductus pancreaticus accessorius.{{cite book |last1=König |first1=Liebich |title=Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Animals |date=2020 |publisher=Thieme |location=Stuttgart |isbn=978-3-13-242933-8 |pages=856 |edition=7th}}

The minor duodenal papilla represents the remnants of the opening of the accessory pancreatic duct, which drains the dorsal pancreatic bud during foetal development.

When patent, the minor duodenal papilla may be associated with recurrent pancreatitis. This is particularly common in a subset of people, when the dorsal pancreatic bud fails to fuse with the ventral pancreatic bud, a condition called pancreatic divisum,{{cite book|first1=Nicki R.|last1=Colledge|first2=Brian R.|last2=Walker|first3=Stuart H. (editors)|last3=Ralston|first4=Robert (illustrator)|last4=Britton|title=Davidson's principles and practice of medicine.|year=2010|publisher=Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier|location=Edinburgh|isbn=978-0-7020-3084-0|edition=21st}} {{rp|893}} or when patent and ligated.

The other names of minor duodenal papilla is Santorini's minor caruncle.

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Category:Pancreas anatomy