Digestive Health Irritable Bowel Syndrome Print Sphincter of Oddi By Barbara Bolen, PhD twitter Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. Learn about our editorial policy Barbara Bolen, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Emmy Ludwig, MD on August 05, 2016 Emmy Ludwig, MD, is board-certified in gastroenterology and hepatology. She practices at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Learn about our Medical Review Board Emmy Ludwig, MD Updated on April 02, 2019 More in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes & Diagnosis Living With Nutrition Symptoms Treatment Support & Coping IBS With Constipation IBS With Diarrhea Related Conditions View All Definition: The sphincter of Oddi (SO) is a muscular valve found at the end of the bile and pancreatic ducts where they connect to the duodenum of the small intestine. The SO's main job is to regulate the flow of bile and pancreatic juices into the small intestine. These juices are important for the process of digestion. Bile is stored in the gallbladder for the digestion of fat, The pancreas secretes enzymes for the breakdown of protein, carbohydrates as well as fat. The SO is typically closed, but it opens after a meal is eaten to allow these juices into the duodenum. In the duodenum, these juices break down their respective food components so that nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The SO closes after releasing the juices so as to prevent the contents of the small intestine from backing into the bile and pancreatic ducts. When the SO is not working properly, a diagnosis of SO dysfunction is considered. SO dysfunction is a functional gastrointestinal disorder in which the SO does not relax and open, resulting in a back-up of bile and pancreatic juices. SO dysfunction appears as episodes of steady pain in the central and right parts of the upper abdomen a short time after eating. SO dysfunction is mostly seen in people who have had their gallbladders removed (cholecystectomy) and people diagnosed with pancreatitis. Related Reading from Dr. Bolen, your IBS Guide: What Is Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction?Foods to Avoid After Gallbladder RemovalBest Foods to Eat Without a GallbladderIBS and Gallbladder ProblemsGallbladder Pain: Symptoms and CausesHow to Prevent Gallstones Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! One of the most challenging aspects of having IBS is trying to figure out what's safe to eat. Our recipe guide makes it easier. Sign up and get yours now! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit