This issue of VHJOE uses Visible Human anatomy to help explain views of the common bile duct as obtained during a linear array EUS exam of the pancreatic head from the duodenum. EUS images from this region can be difficult to demonstrate using regular anatomy resources, since the views obtained are not generated on any standard anatomic plane.

By combining visible human models, cross sectional anatomy, and an EUS exam from a patient, one can visualize how the EUS orientation relates to the pertinent anatomic features. As shown, since the common bile duct runs parallel to the second part of the duodenum, rotation of a linear echoendoscope will actually provide cross sections of the duct.