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How does the duodenum receive bile and pancreatic juice?

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Diagram of the human digestive system viewed from the front, showing and labeling organs including the mouth, teeth, tongue, salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, liver, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, large intestine, small intestine, appendix, rectum, and anus. — digestion The human digestive system as seen from the front.

The duodenum receives bile and pancreatic juice through a coordinated ductal system that terminates in the descending segment of the small intestine.12

The common bile duct, which carries bile from the liver and gallbladder, typically joins the main pancreatic duct at a dilated structure known as the hepatopancreatic ampulla (ampulla of Vater). This ampulla is located within the wall of the duodenum and opens into its lumen at an elevation called the major duodenal papilla.132

The flow of these digestive fluids is regulated by the hepatopancreatic sphincter (sphincter of Oddi), which controls the release of bile and pancreatic secretions into the intestine. While these ducts most commonly merge before entering the duodenum, in some cases, they may join the duodenal wall separately. Additionally, a minor duodenal papilla may occasionally receive smaller amounts of pancreatic secretions.1432