The most common functional disorder of the biliary tract and pancreas relates to 
the activity of the Sphincter of Oddi. The Sphincter of Oddi is a small smooth 
muscle sphincter strategically placed at the junction of the bile duct, 
pancreatic duct, and duodenum. The sphincter controls flow of bile and 
pancreatic juices into the duodenum and prevents reflux of duodenal content into 
the ducts. Disorder in its motility is called Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. 
Clinically this presents either with recurrent abdominal biliary type pain or 
episodes of recurrent pancreatitis. Manometry may identify the motility 
abnormalities, the most clinically significant being an abnormally elevated 
basal pressure. The most effective treatment once an abnormal basal pressure is 
identified is division of the sphincter. This is associated with good long-term 
results.