Pancreas

Pancreas

is a long, narrow retroperitoneal organ that lies porterior to the stomach

Extending from the concavity of the duodenum of the hilium of the spleen

The pancreas is found?

In a horizontal-oblique line

Lies in epigastric and left hypochondriac region

What are the five parts of the pancreas?

1. Uncinate Process 2. Head 3. Neck 4. Body 5. Tail

Where is the pancreas located in relation to the stomach?

The pancreas lies posterior to the stomach.

What is the approximate length and thickness of the pancreas?

The pancreas is approximately 12 cm long and 2 cm thick.

What is the thickest part of the pancreas?

head

Which two vessels can commonly be seen running through the head of the pancreas?

the CBD in the right posterior aspect and the gastroduodenal artery in the anterior aspect

The Head of the pancreas lies?

Approximately the level of L2-L3. The head is anterior to the IVC and renal veins

A _____ section through the head of the _________ typically intersects the second part of the _________ that is at the left margin of the head.

transverse, pancreas, duodenum

What is the uncinate process of the pancreas?

A medial and posterior extension of the head of the pancreas that hooks towards the back of the abdomen. It may hook around two very important blood vessels.

The ucinate process may hook around which two important blood vessels?

the superior mesentric artery (SMA) and the superior mesentric vein (SMV)

The ucinate process is ______ to the superior mesenteric vessels?

Posterior, lying between the superior mesentric vein and IVC

What anatomical structures are located near the head of the pancreas?

The common bile duct and the gastroduodenal artery.

What is the neck of the pancreas?

The constricted portion located between the pancreatic head and body

Located just posterior to the Neck of the pancreas is the?

portal splenic confluence, where the portal vein of formed by the merging of the superior mesentreric and splenic veins

What is the body of the pancreas?

The largest and most anterior portion, extending transversely to the left, anterior to the aorta and superior mesenteric artery.

The splenic vein runs?

along the posterior surface of the body on its route to the portal splenic confluence

The body tapers ______ into the pancreatic tail.

supiorly and posteriorly

The body lies ______ to the stomach.

posterior

What defines the tail of the pancreas?

It extends into the left anterior to the left kidney and ends at the splenic hilum.

_______ forms the superior border of the tail of the pancreas.

splenic artery

________ forms the posterior border of the tail of the pancreas.

splenic vein

The _______ forms the superoanterior border of the tail of the pancreas.

stomach

What is the most superior portion of the pancreas?

the tail near the spleen

What are the two main functions of the pancreas?

Exocrine function (producing digestive enzymes) and endocrine function (producing insulin and glucagon).

Exocrine function of the pancreas

acini cells produce digestive

enzymes for digestion secreted via the pancreatic duct.

Endocrine function of the pancreas

Islets of Langerhans cells produce

insulin and glucagon. They control blood levels of

nutrients.

The pancreas delivers?

its endocrine hormones into the draining

venous system and its enzymes into the small

intestines.

The endocrine hormones help?

control plasma glucose concentration

Pancreatic digestive enzymes include?

amylase for the digestion of starch, lipase for the digestion of lipids, peptidases for protein digestion, and sodium

bicarbonate to neutralize gastric acid.

The main pancreatic duct

extends the entire length of the gland

The main pancreatic duct enters the?

medial second part of the duoedenum with the common bile duct at Vater's ampulla (major duodenal papilla)

Santorini's duct

secondary duct, enters the duodenum at the minor papil;a

approximately 2cm proximal to Vater's ampulla

What is the main pancreatic duct called?

Wirsung's duct.

sphincter of Oddi

a smooth muscle sphincter that regulates the opening

Sphincter of Oddi is composed of?

circular and longitudinal layers of smooth muscle that surrounds the ampulla of Vater or the hepato pancreatic ampulla

Ampulla of Vater surrounds the?

distal part of the bile duct from the gallbladder and the pancreatic duct from the pancreas

What is the role of the Islets of Langerhans?

They produce insulin and glucagon to control blood nutrient levels.

What are the pancreatic digestive enzymes?

Amylase (for starch), lipase (for lipids), peptidases (for proteins), and sodium bicarbonate (to neutralize gastric acid).

What vessels supply blood to the pancreas?

Branches of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries.

How does venous blood drain from the pancreas?

It drains into the portal vein via the superior mesenteric or splenic vein.

What is the anatomical position of the pancreas in the abdominal cavity?

The pancreas sits transversely in the abdominal cavity.

In order to get a long image of the pancreas- sonographer must scan in a transverse scan plane

What is the significance of the portal splenic confluence?

It is where the portal vein is formed by the merging of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins.

What is the accessory pancreatic duct also known as?

Duct of Santorini.

What is the major duodenal papilla?

The site where the main pancreatic duct and the common bile duct enter the duodenum.

What is the anatomical relationship of the pancreas to the inferior vena cava?

The head of the pancreas is anterior to the inferior vena cava.

What is the anatomical landmark for the head of the pancreas?

It lies approximately at the level of L2-L3 vertebrae.

What is the function of the gallbladder in relation to the pancreas?

It stores bile, which is released into the duodenum to aid in digestion.

What is the splenic artery's role in relation to the pancreas?

It forms the superior border of the tail of the pancreas.

What is the appearance of the pancreas in cross-section?

The pancreas has a distinct lobulated appearance and is unencapsulated.