The ampulla of Vater, or hepatopancreatic ampulla, is a small reservoir where your common bile duct and pancreatic duct meet. It collects bile and pancreatic juices. As part of your digestive system, the ampulla allows digestive juices to meet and break down food after it travels from your stomach to your small intestine.
The ampulla of Vater is a part of your body involved in the digestive system. It’s an area where your common bile duct meets your pancreatic duct.
Your common bile duct is a tube that carries bile from your liver and gallbladder to your duodenum, the first part of your small intestine. Bile is a substance that breaks down fats so you can digest them. Your pancreatic duct carries digestive juices from your pancreas to your duodenum.
Healthcare providers may also refer to the ampulla of Vater as the hepatopancreatic ampulla and hepatopancreatic duct.
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At the end of your ampulla, there’s a small opening into your duodenum called the major duodenal papilla (also called the papilla of Vater). A muscular valve called the sphincter of Oddi controls the opening of the papilla so bile and pancreatic juices in the ampulla can mix with food in your duodenum. Then the sphincter closes so food doesn’t enter the ampulla.
The ampulla of Vater serves as a connection between areas of your digestive system. It acts as a reservoir for pancreatic juices and bile, enabling the release of these substances that help your body break down and absorb food.
The ampulla of Vater is in the middle of your abdomen, near your pancreas, liver, small intestine and gallbladder.
“Ampulla” is the Latin word for “flask,” a type of bottle. The bottom of a flask is a wide area that stores fluid. A flask narrows near the opening. The ampulla of Vater is a small, dilated flask-shaped sac, almost like a sphere with a cone on one end.
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A few conditions can affect the ampulla of Vater:
If a polyp, cancerous tumor or gallstone in your ampulla blocks your bile duct from emptying bile, or your pancreas duct from emptying digestive enzymes, it can cause symptoms. Signs may include:
Experts aren’t sure how to prevent ampullary polyps or cancer.
But you can help prevent gallstones and promote overall digestive health with several strategies:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
The ampulla of Vater is part of your digestive system. It’s a small reservoir where your common bile duct and pancreatic duct meet. An opening at the end of your ampulla allows bile and pancreatic juices to flow into your duodenum (small intestine). These digestive juices help your body break down food and absorb it.
Last reviewed on 09/16/2022.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy