ampulla of Vater
Bile duct terminus
The ampulla of Vater is a small dilation where the bile duct and pancreatic duct merge before emptying into the duodenum.
This anatomical structure controls the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine during digestion.
Also called the hepatopancreatic ampulla.
Named for German anatomist Abraham Vater.
Initial small intestine
- common bile ductTube draining bile downstream
- papillaSmall anatomical projection
- junctionPoint where things meet
- confluenceMeeting point of streams
mucosa · epithelium · lumen · smooth muscle
Biliary tract infection
- jaundiceYellowing from bile pigment
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- gallstonesHardened bile deposits
Glandular tissue malignancy
- dysplasiaAbnormal tissue formation
- Whipple procedureComplex pancreatic surgical resection
- malignancyCancerous, invasive growth
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
stenosis · stricture · papillary · precancerous · staging · resection · obstruction
Relating to internal visualization
- retrogradeMoving in reverse direction
- cannulationInserting tube into body
- fluoroscopyContinuous X-ray video imaging
- contrastNotable difference between things
stent placement · guidewire · biopsy · gastroenterologist · interventional · therapeutic · diagnostic
Digestive enzymes from organ behind stomach
- pancreatitisSwollen digestive gland
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- lipaseFat-dissolving enzyme
- amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
duodenum
Initial small intestine
- common bile ductTube draining bile downstream
- papillaSmall anatomical projection
- junctionPoint where things meet
confluence · mucosa · epithelium · lumen · smooth muscle
cholangitis
Biliary tract infection
- jaundiceYellowing from bile pigment
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
adenocarcinoma
Glandular tissue malignancy
- dysplasiaAbnormal tissue formation
- Whipple procedureComplex pancreatic surgical resection
- malignancyCancerous, invasive growth
tumor · stenosis · stricture · papillary · precancerous · staging · resection · obstruction
endoscopic
Relating to internal visualization
- retrogradeMoving in reverse direction
- cannulationInserting tube into body
- fluoroscopyContinuous X-ray video imaging
contrast · stent placement · guidewire · biopsy · gastroenterologist · interventional · therapeutic · diagnostic
pancreatic juice
Digestive enzymes from organ behind stomach
- pancreatitisSwollen digestive gland
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- lipaseFat-dissolving enzyme
- Biliary Systembile, bile duct, bile ducts, gallbladder, common bile duct
- ductsbile duct, tear duct, sweat duct, milk duct, air duct
- gut anatomyintestine, intestines, bowel, bowels, gut
- liver anatomyliver, left lobe, lobule, hepatocyte, sinusoid