Accessory Pancreas

The accessory pancreas is a small organ located near the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Not to be confused with a normal pancreas, the accessory pancreas is a far less common organ that may differ in size, shape, and position. Its function is unknown, but it is thought to act as a digestive organ, secreting small amounts of enzymes and hormones into the intestine which aid in digestion. As no significant health issues have been associated with the accessory pancreas, it is unique among digestive organs. Discovery of the accessory pancreas offers new insight into understanding the complexities of the digestive system, and may have implications in understanding the development of digestive diseases.