Pancreatic duct
Ductus pancreaticus
- Eponym: Wirsung
Definition
the pancreatic duct (also called the duct of Wirsung) is the main excretory duct of the pancreas. It drains the body and the left lobe of pancreas. It functions to transport digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas into the duodenum, the first segment of the small intestine.
The anatomical configuration of the pancreatic duct varies by species:
In dogs, there are typically two ducts: the accessory pancreatic duct (ductus pancreaticus accessorius), which is usually the dominant one, and the main pancreatic duct. Both may open separately into the duodenum.
In cats, usually only the main pancreatic duct is present and it commonly shares a common opening with the bile duct at the major duodenal papilla.
In ruminants and pigs, typically only the accessory pancreatic duct is present.
In horses, both ducts are present, but the accessory duct is usually larger.
References
Dyce KM, Sack WO, Wensing CJG. Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy. 5th ed. Saunders; 2017.
König HE, Liebich HG. Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals: Textbook and Colour Atlas. 6th ed. Schattauer; 2020.
