[Anatomy of the choledocho-pancreatico-duodenal junction in infancy, childhood and adolescence].

Series of histological sections of the major duodenal papilla were examined. The samples had been taken from human aged between 28 gestational weeks and 19 years. Reflux-preventing structures were found regularly developed in all specimens. Short common terminal canals (duodenal diverticle) were seen in 44 of 46 cases (96 per cent). Pancreatico-biliary union at the level of the duodenal window or below was established even from immature newborns. In two cases, the common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct had orifices in close neighbourhood to each other. They ended on the papilla without formation of a common canal. Abnormal pancreatico-biliary duct union above the duodenal window was not found. Pathophysiological consequences of supra-duodenal duct junction are discussed.