What is the Difference Between Sphincter of Oddi and Ampulla of Vater

The key difference between sphincter of oddi and ampulla of vater is that sphincter of oddi is a muscular valve responsible for controlling the flow of pancreatic bile secretion into the duodenum, while ampulla of vater is a reservoir that serves as a connection between areas of the digestive system.

Sphincter of oddi and ampulla of vater are two important parts of the digestive tract. The sphincter of oddi is a valve that directs bile and pancreatic secretion through the ampulla of vater into the second part of the duodenum. Ampulla of vater is located where the bile duct and pancreatic duct join. They are very important parts of the digestive system to facilitate digestion and absorption.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Sphincter of Oddi  
3. What is Ampulla of Vater
4. Similarities – Sphincter of Oddi and Ampulla of Vater
5. Sphincter of Oddi vs Ampulla of Vater in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Sphincter of Oddi vs Ampulla of Vater

What is Sphincter of Oddi?

Sphincter of oddi is a muscular valve that is responsible for controlling flow of bile and pancreatic secretion into the duodenum. It is also known as hepatopancreatic sphincter or Glisson’s sphincter. This muscular valve is present in some animals and humans. It controls the flow of digestive juices out of the pancreas through the ampulla of vater into the second part of the duodenum. Sphincter of oddi was named after Ruggero Oddi, who was a physiologist and an anatomist. This valve is relaxed by the hormone cholecystokinin via vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Other than its main function, the sphincter of oddi prevents the reflux of duodenal contents into the ampulla of vater. By preventing so, the sphincter of oddi prevents the accumulation of particulate matter sludge in the bile ducts. This reduces the risk of cholangitis. Moreover, the sphincter of oddi allows the retrograde filing of the gallbladder as well. Furthermore, dysfunctions of the sphincter of oddi lead to medical conditions such as biliary dyskinesia and pancreatitis.

What is Ampulla of Vater?

Ampulla of vater is a reservoir that serves as a connection between areas of the digestive system. It is formed by the joining of the pancreatic duct and common bile duct. Ampulla of vater is specifically located at the major duodenal papilla. The cystic duct leaves the gallbladder and unites with the common hepatic duct to form the common bile duct. Later, the common bile duct joins with the pancreatic duct to form ampula vater. Moreover, various smooth muscle sphincters regulate the flow of bile and pancreatic juice through the amupla vater into the second part of the duodenum, such as the sphincter of the pancreatic duct, the sphincter of the bile duct, and the sphincter of Oddi. Furthermore, problems with the ampula vater can cause diseases like pancreatitis and Thomas’ signs (production of silver stool due to the cancer of ampula vater).

What are the Similarities Between Sphincter of Oddi and Ampulla of Vater?

• Sphincter of oddi and ampulla of vater are two important parts of the digestive tract.
• Both are very important parts of the digestive system to facilitate digestion and absorption.
• Both play very vital roles in the digestion process.
• Their dysfunctions cause various diseases.

What is the Difference Between Sphincter of Oddi and Ampulla of Vater?

Sphincter of oddi is a muscular valve that is responsible for controlling the flow of bile and pancreatic secretion into the duodenum, while ampulla of vater is a reservoir that serves as a connection between areas of the digestive system. Thus, this is the key difference between sphincter of oddi and ampulla of vater.

The below infographic presents the differences between sphincter of oddi and ampulla of vater in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Sphincter of Oddi vs Ampulla of Vater

Sphincter of oddi and ampulla of vater are two important parts of the digestive tract that facilitate digestion and absorption. Sphincter of oddi is a muscular valve, and it controls the flow of pancreatic bile secretion into the duodenum. Ampulla of vater is a reservoir that serves as a connection between areas of the digestive system. So, this is the key difference between sphincter of oddi and ampulla of vater.

Reference:

1. Afghani, Elham, et al. “Sphincter of Oddi Function and Risk Factors for Dysfunction.” Frontiers.
2. “Ampulla of Vater: Overview, Definition, Function & Location.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Biliary system multilingual” By Jmarchn – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia