Human fetal development of the hepato-pancreatic duct junction--a possible explanation of congenital dilatation of the biliary tract.
Review of 20 cases of congenital dilatation of the common bile duct in childhood showed an association with anomalous choledocho-pancreatic junction in 8. Study of human fetuses showed that the choledocho-pancreatic junction was outside the wall of the duodenum before 8 wk gestation and moved inward and towards the duodenal lumen as age advanced. Arrest of this migration can explain the formation of the anomalous junction. Normal formation of the sphincter of Oddi may also be affected by this process, and lead to functional obstruction and dilatation of the common bile duct.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003137:Common Bile Duct Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000196:embryology; D003560:Cysts / Q000151:congenital* / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D006500:Hepatic Duct, Common / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000196:embryology*