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What is the Ampulla of Vater?

Katriena Knights
Katriena Knights

When food is digested, it passes from the stomach to the small intestine, then into the large intestine. Along the way, various acids and other substances interact with the food to break it down and make it possible for the body to absorb the nutrients it provides. Both the pancreas and liver connect to the small intestine at the duodenum, adding important substances such as bile, insulin and glucagon to the intestine. The point at which they connect to the intestine, located at the major duodenal papilla halfway along the second half of the duodenum, is called the ampulla of vater.

Also known as the hepatopancreatic ampulla, the ampulla of vater carries bile from the common bile duct, as well as secretions from the pancreas through the pancreatic duct, into the small intestine. Several sphincters ensure the secretions are directed to the right place and prevent the contents of the small intestine from flowing back out through the ampulla. The bile duct and the pancreatic duct both have sphincters to control flow of liquid. Another sphincter, the hepatopancreatic sphincter, controls the movement of liquid through the hepatopancreatic ampulla. This sphincter also is known as the sphincter of Oddi.

When food is digested, it passes from the stomach to the small intestine, then into the large intestine.
When food is digested, it passes from the stomach to the small intestine, then into the large intestine.

One result of secretions not flowing smoothly through the digestive system can be pancreatitis. This disease can occur when the ampulla of vater becomes blocked, such as by a gallstone. When the ampulla of vater is blocked, the digestive juices produced by the pancreas, which include insulin and glucagon, activate within the pancreas instead of in the duodenum. Cells within the pancreas then become irritated, leading to inflammation. Pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas and can be traced to a variety of other causes as well. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, nausea and pain in the abdomen that spreads to the lower back.

The ampulla of vater carries bile from the common bile duct, as well as secretions from the pancreas through the pancreatic duct into the small intestine.
The ampulla of vater carries bile from the common bile duct, as well as secretions from the pancreas through the pancreatic duct into the small intestine.

Rarely, cancer can develop in the hepatopancreatic ampulla, with symptoms including jaundice and pain. Like most cancers, early detection leads to a higher possibility of recovery. Fewer than 2,000 cases typically are diagnosed in a year in the United States, and that number constitutes only two-tenths of one percent of all diagnosed gastrointestinal malignancies. This type of cancer occurs in both men and women with equal frequency and is treated by removing the cancer as well as part of the affected duodenum. Cancer of the ampulla of vater often metastasizes into the lymph nodes, and the five-year survival rate is only about 40 percent.

Discussion Comments

allenJo

@David09 - While I share your enthusiasm for good nutrition, I don't believe that all cancers are preventable. That would imply that anyone with cancer has a bad diet, and I've known people on good diets who had cancer.

As for gallstones, I have read that drinking a lot of water helps to flush them out, but whether drinking a lot of water will always prevent them is another story.

Some medical experts are now warning against drinking the recommended eight glasses of water per day, which used to be gospel for people in the health community. I don't recall why, but now all of a sudden too much water can be bad for you.

I think that you should just eat right, exercise, take your vitamins and do the best you can. In the end, however, there are no guarantees of anything.

David09

If you want to improve your digestive system the number one thing you can do is eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. You don’t necessarily have to become a vegan. Just eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and drink a lot of water.

That is one way to reduce the possibility that you will ever develop gallstones or ampullary cancer.

I realize that many in the medical community will insist that it’s impossible to prevent cancer, but the fact is that cancer thrives in an acidic environment. I believe that it is preventable, in the same way that I believe gallstones are preventable through drinking a lot of water.

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    • When food is digested, it passes from the stomach to the small intestine, then into the large intestine.
      By: GraphicCompressor
      When food is digested, it passes from the stomach to the small intestine, then into the large intestine.
    • The ampulla of vater carries bile from the common bile duct, as well as secretions from the pancreas through the pancreatic duct into the small intestine.
      By: peterjunaidy
      The ampulla of vater carries bile from the common bile duct, as well as secretions from the pancreas through the pancreatic duct into the small intestine.
    • Cancer of the ampulla of vater often metastasizes into the lymph nodes, and the five-year survival rate is only about 40 percent.
      By: joshya
      Cancer of the ampulla of vater often metastasizes into the lymph nodes, and the five-year survival rate is only about 40 percent.
    • Pancreatitis may cause nausea and vomiting in some individuals.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Pancreatitis may cause nausea and vomiting in some individuals.
    • Pancreatitis may occur when the ampulla of vater becomes blocked by a gallstone.
      By: designua
      Pancreatitis may occur when the ampulla of vater becomes blocked by a gallstone.
    • Inflammation of the pancreas is referred to as pancreatitis.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Inflammation of the pancreas is referred to as pancreatitis.
    • When food is digested, it passes from the stomach to the small intestine, then into the large intestine.
      By: graphicgeoff
      When food is digested, it passes from the stomach to the small intestine, then into the large intestine.