This book provides comprehensive and definitive coverage of current understanding of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of the inflammatory disease pancreatitis. Pancreatitis occurs in both acute and chronic forms along with the more recently identified autoimmune pancreatitis. Mechanisms of the disease are studied in animal models with the goal of developing rational therapy. The book has been overseen and published by the American Pancreatic Association with John A. Williams as Editor-in-Chief. It includes 65 chapters written and edited by a worldwide group of authorities; completed chapters are also presented in open access on the Pancreapedia (www.pancreapedia.org). Individual chapters are relatively brief, dividing coverage into smaller units while maintaining depth. The book contains full-color and summary diagrams for enhanced readability, and a subject index enhances findability of information on specific topics. Pancreatitis is divided into four sections: - Experimental Pancreatitis - Section Editors: Stephen J. Pandol and Ashok K. Saluja - Acute Pancreatitis - Section Editors: Markus M. Lerch and Marc G. Besselink - Chronic Pancreatitis - Section Editors: Pramod K. Garg and Julia Mayerle - Autoimmune Pancreatitis - Section Editors: Suresh T. Chari and Phil A. Hart The book is aimed at pancreas researchers and clinical practitioners, but the clear and readable text will also appeal to students and individuals interested in the exocrine pancreas and its diseases.