Learning Modules - Medical Gross Anatomy
Peritoneal Cavity Development - Page 8 of 14

    

As the duodenum develops, it undergoes a 90o counter-clockwise rotation (as viewed from below). At the same time, the ventral pancreatic bud and the bile duct rotate dorsally 180o to fuse with the dorsal pancreatic bud, forming the adult pancreas. The distal duodenum passes inferior to, and then to the left of, the origin of the superior mesenteric artery from the aorta. This explains the close anatomical relationship between the superior mesenteric artery and vein, and the third part of the duodenum and uncinate process of the pancreas (the adult derivative of the ventral pancreas).

The rotation of the duodenum carries the opening of the bile duct to the posteromedial aspect of the adult duodenum.


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