| [ Summary ] |
When we study embryological development, we should keep in mind how it relates to normal development, observe patients closely, and be able to make theoretical assumptions. Moreover, we should investigate the development of all internal organs (pancreas, biliary tract, duodenum, liver, etc), not only investigating areas associated directly with pancreaticobiliary maljunction. We have an excellent means of investigating the development of pancreaticobiliary maljunction formulated by Ando, Oi, Matsumoto, and Tanaka. Tanaka's theory is widely known as the "dislocation theory". He theorized that the form of the junction of the biliary tract and the pancreatic duct is determined by which ventral pancreatic duct fuses with the dorsal pancreatic duct. This theory can explain complicated junctional forms, normal variations and so on, as well as pancreaticobiliary maljunction. |