Key Terms

acinar cells

the cells of the pancreas that carry out the exocrine function and therefore produce amylase, lipase, sodium bicarbonate, and other digestive enzymes

annular pancreas

congenital anomaly of the pancreas that results in the maldevelopment of the pancreas in which the most ventral part of the pancreas encases the duodenum and may consequently lead to duodenal obstruction

chronic pancreatitis

the recurring destruction of the pancreatic tissue that results in atrophy, fibrosis with scarring, and the development of calcification within the gland

cystic fibrosis

inherited disorder that can affect the lungs, liver, pancreas, and other organs; this disorder changes how the body creates mucus and sweat

double-duct sign

coexisting enlargement of the CBD and pancreatic duct

duct of santorini

the accessory duct of the pancreas

duct of wirsung

the main pancreatic duct

duodenum

the first segment of the small intestine

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

endoscopic procedure that utilizes fluoroscopy to evaluate the biliary tree and pancreas gastrinoma—an islet cell tumor found within the pancreas

hyperamylasemia

elevated amylase

hyperparathyroidism

the presence of elevated parathyroid hormone

ileus

bowel obstruction caused by the lack of normal peristalsis

insulinoma

an islet cell tumor found within the pancreas

islets of langerhans

small islands of tissue found within the pancreas that produce insulin and glucagon

islet cell tumors

tumor found within the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas

lesser sac

a peritoneal cavity located between the stomach and pancreas where fluid can accumulate

pancreatic adenocarcinoma

the most common form of pancreatic malignancy, typically found within the head of the pancreas

pancreatic adenocarcinoma

congenital anomaly of the pancreas that results in a shortened main pancreatic duct that only works to drain the pancreatic head and not the entire pancreas

pancreaticduodenectomy

the surgical procedure in which the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, some of the bile ducts, and the proximal duodenum are removed because of a malignant pancreatic neoplasm; also referred to as the Whipple procedure

pancreatic pseudocyst

a cyst surrounded by fibrous tissue that consists of pancreatic enzymes that have leaked from the pancreas

phlegmon

the peripancreatic fluid collection that results from the inflammation of the pancreas

uncinate process

a posteromedial extension of the pancreatic head

von hippel-lindau disease

a hereditary disease that includes the development of cysts within the pancreas and other organs

whipple procedure

see pancreaticoduodenectomy

zollinger-ellison syndrome

the syndrome that includes an excessive secretion of acid by the stomach caused by the presence of a functional gastrinoma within the pancreas