Canadian National Institute of Health (CNIH) Entrance Practice Exam

The correct answer is that both the pancreatic and bile ducts secrete water and electrolytes.

The pancreatic duct is responsible for transporting digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas, such as amylase, lipase, and proteases, into the small intestine. Additionally, it plays a role in delivering bicarbonate ions, which help neutralize stomach acid in the chyme coming from the stomach. This bicarbonate secretion is essential for creating an optimal environment for the activity of intestinal enzymes.

On the other hand, the bile duct carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum. Bile itself contains bile salts, bilirubin, cholesterol, and other components, but is also mixed with water and electrolytes, which help in the emulsification of fats during digestion.

Both ducts play a critical role in digestion through their contributions of fluids that aid in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, thereby emphasizing the importance of water and electrolytes in the digestive process. The secretion of gastric acid is specific to the stomach, and bile alone does not encompass the full contribution of both ducts.