The ampulla is a reservoir that holds bile and pancreatic enzymes and releases them into your intestine to help digest food. Rarely, it can be the site of a biliary obstruction or cancer. Learn more about the causes, diagnosis and treatments for cancer of the ampulla of Vater.
An ampulla is an enlarged opening at the end of a duct or canal in the body, and the ampulla of Vater is responsible for allowing both the pancreatic and bile ducts to empty into the duodenum, or small intestine. When ampullary cancer occurs, even if it’s small, it often blocks the bile duct. Ampullary cancer, or ampullary carcinoma, is a life-threatening cancer that forms in a body part called the ampulla of Vater in the duodenum, where the pancreatic and bile ducts release their secretions into the intestines. Named after the scientist who discovered it, the ampulla of Vater is found at the start of your small intestine (the duodenum).
ampulla duodeni, It is a hollow, empty, button-like bump on the inside wall of your duodenum. The ampulla of Vater stores digestive juices until they are needed to digest (break down) food. By allowing the mixing of bile and pancreatic enzymes, the ampulla of Vater plays a key role in digesting fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the small intestine. ampulla any small vesicle or sac-like offshoot, particularly the dilation at the end of the semicircular canal of the EAR, which houses sensory epithelium and is concerned with balance; See CRISTA AMPULLARIS.
