Pancreas divisum

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.

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.

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