Observation of duodenal bile shuttle in the sheep.

Relation between duodenal anatomy and function was studied in cannulated sheep. It was concluded that during the interperistaltic periods, gravitational backflow of bile and admixed pancreatic juice towards the pylorus may provide a means for desorption of enterokinase from the mucosal surface of the cranial duodenum. The biliary back and forth ("bile shuttle") may contribute to the utilization of duodenal enterokinase.