A gallstone is a small, hard
object, in the shape of a pebble that sometimes forms in the gall bladder or
bile duct. These gallstones can block
the pancreatic duct if they aggregate near the Ampulla of Vater and will disallow
the release of pancreatic enzymes from the pancreas. The pancreatic enzymes
will not be able to flow into the small bowel and become backed up in the
pancreas. This can lead to pancreatitis.
