The pancreas secretes pancreatic juices into which duct to aid digestion?

• A. Pancreatic duct
• B. Common bile duct
• C. Ureter
• D. Esophagus

Answer: (A)

Pancreatic juice is carried to the duodenum through the pancreatic ducts. The main route is the main pancreatic duct, which runs through the pancreas and empties into the duodenum (often joining the common bile duct to form the hepatopancreatic ampulla at the major duodenal papilla). There is also an accessory pancreatic duct in some individuals, but the primary drainage for most pancreatic secretions is the pancreatic duct. The other options don’t carry pancreatic juice: the ureter transports urine, the esophagus is a food passage, and the common bile duct carries bile (and only meets the pancreatic duct near the duodenum).