2011 Volume 25 Issue 2 Pages 239-244
The embryogenesis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction is inferred from the embryogenesis of bile duct, ventral pancreas and duodenum. Recanalization of the common duct frequently appears with two lumina and openings into the duodenum with two orifices. These two major canals create a narrow segment of the duodenum and this narrow zone is the area in the duodenum that is most prone to faulty recanalization and atresia formation. During the development of the bile duct, abnormal fusion may occur between the bile duct and branches of the ventral pancreatic duct. The site in the bile duct where a branch of the pancreatic duct joins is likely to develop atresia due to disturbance of the recanalization process, as seen in duodenal atresia. Severe impairment of vacuolation causes divided atretic bile duct at the site where the pancreatic duct inserts in a Y-fashion into the upper and lower bile duct. Moderate impairment of vacuolization causes a stenosis at the site where the pancreatic duct inserts in a T-shape.
