The sphincter of Oddi and pancreatitis

A review of three widely studied mechanisms by which pancreatitis is produced—biliary-pancreatic reflux, obstruction of the pancreatic duct and duodenopancreatic reflux—shows serious objections to each when they are considered individually. The possibility is considered that all three may contribute, each acting at different times. It is likely that the pathogenesis of pancreatitis will remain obscure until methods for studying the sphincter of Oddi are improved and biochemical changes in pancreatic disease are better understood.