Pancreatic ducts

There are two pancreatic ducts:

Both of these ducts drain into the second (descending) part of the duodenum

The main pancreatic duct opens into the major duodenal papilla by merging with the common bile duct and forming the hepatopancreatic ampulla. The opening is surrounded by the sphincter of Oddi consisting of smooth muscle.

The accessory pancreatic duct, which is usually present, drains into the minor duodenal papilla, providing that it is present and patent. Should the papilla be absent, the accessory duct simply joins with the main pancreatic duct.