BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPancreas divisumPancreatic divisumPancreas divisum is a birth defect in which parts of the pancreas do not join together. The pancreas is a long, flat organ located between the stomach and spine. It helps in food digestion. Causes Pancreas divisum is the most common birth defect of the pancreas. In many cases, this defect goes undetected and causes no problems. The cause of the defect is unknown.As a baby develops in the womb (uterus), two separate pieces of tissue join together to form the pancreas. Each part has a tube, called a duct. When the parts join together, a final duct, called the pancreatic duct, is formed. Fluid and digestive juices (enzymes) produced by the pancreas normally flow through this duct.Pancreas divisum occurs if the ducts do not join while the baby develops. Fluid from the two parts of the pancreas drains into separate areas of the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). This occurs in 5% to 15% of people.If a pancreatic duct becomes blocked, swelling and tissue damage (pancreatitis) may develop. Symptoms Many people do not have any symptoms. If you have pancreatitis, symptoms include:Abdominal pain, most often in the upper abdomen that may be felt in the back Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal swelling (distention) Abdominal swellingA swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea or vomiting Exams and Tests You may have the following tests:Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal ultrasoundAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal CT scan Abdominal CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Amylase and lipase blood test AmylaseAmylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is made primarily in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva, and can be found at low ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article LipaseLipase is a protein (enzyme) released by the pancreas into the small intestine. It helps the body absorb fat. This test is used to measure the amou...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) Endoscopic ultrasoundEndoscopic ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to see organs in and near the digestive tract.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The following treatments may be needed if you have symptoms of the condition, or if pancreatitis keeps returning:ERCP with a cut to enlarge the opening where the pancreatic duct drains Placement of a stent to prevent the duct from getting blocked You may need surgery if these treatments do not work. Outlook (Prognosis) Most of the time, the outcome is good. Possible Complications The main complication of pancreas divisum is pancreatitis. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder. Prevention Because this condition is present at birth, there is no known way to prevent it.Open ReferencesReferencesAdams DB, Coté GA. Pancreas: Pancreas divisum and other variants of dominant dorsal duct anatomy. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:539-650.Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, Deyrup AT, Das A, Pancreas. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, Deyrup AT, Das A, eds. Robbins & Kumar Basic Pathology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 15.Mehta MS, Barth BA, Husain SZ. Anatomy, histology, embryology and developmental anomalies of the pancreas. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.AllVideoImagesTogPancreas divisum - illustration Pancreas divisum is the most common birth defect of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that helps in food digestion by producing digestive juices (enzymes) that drain into the intestine through a tube (duct). While the baby is developing inside the uterus, two separate parts of the pancreas come together to form the pancreas and the two ducts join. In pancreas divisum, the two ducts are separate and drainage may be impaired.Pancreas divisumillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationEndocrine glands - illustration Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the rate of metabolism in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).Endocrine glandsillustrationPancreas - illustration The pancreas is an elongated, tapered gland that is located behind the stomach and secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.PancreasillustrationPancreas divisum - illustration Pancreas divisum is the most common birth defect of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that helps in food digestion by producing digestive juices (enzymes) that drain into the intestine through a tube (duct). While the baby is developing inside the uterus, two separate parts of the pancreas come together to form the pancreas and the two ducts join. In pancreas divisum, the two ducts are separate and drainage may be impaired.Pancreas divisumillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationEndocrine glands - illustration Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the rate of metabolism in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).Endocrine glandsillustrationPancreas - illustration The pancreas is an elongated, tapered gland that is located behind the stomach and secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.PancreasillustrationRelated Information Review Date: 12/31/2023 Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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Pancreas divisumPancreatic divisumPancreas divisum is a birth defect in which parts of the pancreas do not join together. The pancreas is a long, flat organ located between the stomach and spine. It helps in food digestion. Causes Pancreas divisum is the most common birth defect of the pancreas. In many cases, this defect goes undetected and causes no problems. The cause of the defect is unknown.As a baby develops in the womb (uterus), two separate pieces of tissue join together to form the pancreas. Each part has a tube, called a duct. When the parts join together, a final duct, called the pancreatic duct, is formed. Fluid and digestive juices (enzymes) produced by the pancreas normally flow through this duct.Pancreas divisum occurs if the ducts do not join while the baby develops. Fluid from the two parts of the pancreas drains into separate areas of the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). This occurs in 5% to 15% of people.If a pancreatic duct becomes blocked, swelling and tissue damage (pancreatitis) may develop. Symptoms Many people do not have any symptoms. If you have pancreatitis, symptoms include:Abdominal pain, most often in the upper abdomen that may be felt in the back Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal swelling (distention) Abdominal swellingA swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea or vomiting Exams and Tests You may have the following tests:Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal ultrasoundAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal CT scan Abdominal CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Amylase and lipase blood test AmylaseAmylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is made primarily in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva, and can be found at low ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article LipaseLipase is a protein (enzyme) released by the pancreas into the small intestine. It helps the body absorb fat. This test is used to measure the amou...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) Endoscopic ultrasoundEndoscopic ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to see organs in and near the digestive tract.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The following treatments may be needed if you have symptoms of the condition, or if pancreatitis keeps returning:ERCP with a cut to enlarge the opening where the pancreatic duct drains Placement of a stent to prevent the duct from getting blocked You may need surgery if these treatments do not work. Outlook (Prognosis) Most of the time, the outcome is good. Possible Complications The main complication of pancreas divisum is pancreatitis. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder. Prevention Because this condition is present at birth, there is no known way to prevent it.Open ReferencesReferencesAdams DB, Coté GA. Pancreas: Pancreas divisum and other variants of dominant dorsal duct anatomy. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:539-650.Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, Deyrup AT, Das A, Pancreas. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, Deyrup AT, Das A, eds. Robbins & Kumar Basic Pathology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 15.Mehta MS, Barth BA, Husain SZ. Anatomy, histology, embryology and developmental anomalies of the pancreas. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.