Pancreatoduodenal space

The pancreaticoduodenal space (PDS) or groove (PDG) is a small anatomical potential space between the pancreatic head and duodenum ¹.

Gross anatomy

Boundaries

• medial: pancreatic head

• lateral: 2nd portion of duodenum

• superior: duodenal bulb

• inferior 3rd portion of duodenum

• posterior: inferior vena cava

Contents

• distal common bile duct

• main (Wirsung duct) pancreatic ducts

• accessory (Santorini duct) pancreatic ducts

• major/minor papilla

• lymph nodes

• small vessels

Related pathology

• paraduodenal pancreatitis

• ampullary adenocarcinoma

• duodenal adenocarcinoma