![\"\"](\"https:\/\/meddists.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/pancreas.png\")
<\/a>Functions<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas produces both exocrine and endocrine products:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pancreatic juice<\/strong> that enters the duodenum via a duct<\/li>
- Hormones<\/strong> at the islets of Langerhans<\/strong> that enter the blood<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Location<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas is a secondary retroperitoneal (develops in the peritoneum and leaves it at some point \u2014 except for its tail).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pancreas is located transversely to the L1 and L2 vertebral bodies (transpyloric plane).<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\nSyntopy<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- Anterior<\/strong> \u2014 Stomach<\/li>
- Right side<\/strong> \u2014 Duodenum (engulfing the head of the pancreas)<\/li>
- Left side <\/strong>\u2014 Spleen<\/li>
- Posterior<\/strong> \u2014 Transverse mesocolon<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Surface anatomy<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas is usually divided into four parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Head<\/strong>
- Embraced by the duodenum<\/li>
- Features the\u00a0uncinate process<\/strong>. The uncinate process develops from ventral bud (unlike the rest of the pancreas which develops from the dorsal bud).<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Neck<\/strong>
- Located anterior to the superior mesenteric vessels<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Body<\/strong>
- Runs along the splenic vein<\/li>
- Covered by peritoneum anteriorly<\/li>
- Lies in the floor of the omental bursa<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Tail<\/strong>
- Engulfed by the splenorenal ligament<\/li>
- Considered intraperitoneal<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Ducts<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas usually has 2 ducts that may or may not communicate with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Main pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li>
- Accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The m<\/strong>ain pancreatic duct<\/strong> (or duct<\/strong> of Wirsung<\/strong>) begins at the tail, runs along the parenchyma, uniting with the common bile duct to form the hepatopancreatic duct<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe hepatopancreatic duct forms a dilated part at its end (the hepatopancreatic ampulla <\/strong>or ampulla of Vater<\/strong>) which drains to the descending duodenum and opens as the major duodenal papilla <\/strong>(or papilla of Vater<\/strong>), forming the border between the foregut and the midgut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe main pancreatic duct and the common bile duct have their own sphincters to control the rate of flow of bile and pancreatic juice, as well the hepatopancreatic ampulla (the sphincter of Oddi<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong> is usually superior to and smaller than the main duct, opening to the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\nNeurovasculature<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nBlood supply<\/strong><\/td>Splenic artery<\/strong>
Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the celiac trunk)
Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the superior mesenteric artery)<\/td><\/tr>Venous drainage<\/strong><\/td>Into the portal circulation through:
Splenic vein<\/strong>
Superior <\/strong>and inferior pancreaticoduodenal veins<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>Innervation<\/strong><\/td>Celiac plexus<\/strong>: abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves (sympathetic), and the vagus nerve (parasympathetic)<\/td><\/tr>Lymphatic drainage<\/strong><\/td>Pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes, draining into the superior mesenteric and celiac\u00a0 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Table 1. Neurovasculature of the pancreas<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span>
Location<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas is a secondary retroperitoneal (develops in the peritoneum and leaves it at some point \u2014 except for its tail).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pancreas is located transversely to the L1 and L2 vertebral bodies (transpyloric plane).<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\nSyntopy<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- Anterior<\/strong> \u2014 Stomach<\/li>
- Right side<\/strong> \u2014 Duodenum (engulfing the head of the pancreas)<\/li>
- Left side <\/strong>\u2014 Spleen<\/li>
- Posterior<\/strong> \u2014 Transverse mesocolon<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Surface anatomy<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas is usually divided into four parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Head<\/strong>
- Embraced by the duodenum<\/li>
- Features the\u00a0uncinate process<\/strong>. The uncinate process develops from ventral bud (unlike the rest of the pancreas which develops from the dorsal bud).<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Neck<\/strong>
- Located anterior to the superior mesenteric vessels<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Body<\/strong>
- Runs along the splenic vein<\/li>
- Covered by peritoneum anteriorly<\/li>
- Lies in the floor of the omental bursa<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Tail<\/strong>
- Engulfed by the splenorenal ligament<\/li>
- Considered intraperitoneal<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Ducts<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas usually has 2 ducts that may or may not communicate with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Main pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li>
- Accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The m<\/strong>ain pancreatic duct<\/strong> (or duct<\/strong> of Wirsung<\/strong>) begins at the tail, runs along the parenchyma, uniting with the common bile duct to form the hepatopancreatic duct<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe hepatopancreatic duct forms a dilated part at its end (the hepatopancreatic ampulla <\/strong>or ampulla of Vater<\/strong>) which drains to the descending duodenum and opens as the major duodenal papilla <\/strong>(or papilla of Vater<\/strong>), forming the border between the foregut and the midgut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe main pancreatic duct and the common bile duct have their own sphincters to control the rate of flow of bile and pancreatic juice, as well the hepatopancreatic ampulla (the sphincter of Oddi<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong> is usually superior to and smaller than the main duct, opening to the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\nNeurovasculature<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nBlood supply<\/strong><\/td>Splenic artery<\/strong>
Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the celiac trunk)
Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the superior mesenteric artery)<\/td><\/tr>Venous drainage<\/strong><\/td>Into the portal circulation through:
Splenic vein<\/strong>
Superior <\/strong>and inferior pancreaticoduodenal veins<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>Innervation<\/strong><\/td>Celiac plexus<\/strong>: abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves (sympathetic), and the vagus nerve (parasympathetic)<\/td><\/tr>Lymphatic drainage<\/strong><\/td>Pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes, draining into the superior mesenteric and celiac\u00a0 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Table 1. Neurovasculature of the pancreas<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span>
Syntopy<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n- Anterior<\/strong> \u2014 Stomach<\/li>
- Right side<\/strong> \u2014 Duodenum (engulfing the head of the pancreas)<\/li>
- Left side <\/strong>\u2014 Spleen<\/li>
- Posterior<\/strong> \u2014 Transverse mesocolon<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Surface anatomy<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas is usually divided into four parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Head<\/strong>
- Embraced by the duodenum<\/li>
- Features the\u00a0uncinate process<\/strong>. The uncinate process develops from ventral bud (unlike the rest of the pancreas which develops from the dorsal bud).<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Neck<\/strong>
- Located anterior to the superior mesenteric vessels<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Body<\/strong>
- Runs along the splenic vein<\/li>
- Covered by peritoneum anteriorly<\/li>
- Lies in the floor of the omental bursa<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Tail<\/strong>
- Engulfed by the splenorenal ligament<\/li>
- Considered intraperitoneal<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Ducts<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas usually has 2 ducts that may or may not communicate with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Main pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li>
- Accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The m<\/strong>ain pancreatic duct<\/strong> (or duct<\/strong> of Wirsung<\/strong>) begins at the tail, runs along the parenchyma, uniting with the common bile duct to form the hepatopancreatic duct<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe hepatopancreatic duct forms a dilated part at its end (the hepatopancreatic ampulla <\/strong>or ampulla of Vater<\/strong>) which drains to the descending duodenum and opens as the major duodenal papilla <\/strong>(or papilla of Vater<\/strong>), forming the border between the foregut and the midgut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe main pancreatic duct and the common bile duct have their own sphincters to control the rate of flow of bile and pancreatic juice, as well the hepatopancreatic ampulla (the sphincter of Oddi<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong> is usually superior to and smaller than the main duct, opening to the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\nNeurovasculature<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nBlood supply<\/strong><\/td>Splenic artery<\/strong>
Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the celiac trunk)
Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the superior mesenteric artery)<\/td><\/tr>Venous drainage<\/strong><\/td>Into the portal circulation through:
Splenic vein<\/strong>
Superior <\/strong>and inferior pancreaticoduodenal veins<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>Innervation<\/strong><\/td>Celiac plexus<\/strong>: abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves (sympathetic), and the vagus nerve (parasympathetic)<\/td><\/tr>Lymphatic drainage<\/strong><\/td>Pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes, draining into the superior mesenteric and celiac\u00a0 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Table 1. Neurovasculature of the pancreas<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span>
Surface anatomy<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas is usually divided into four parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Head<\/strong>
- Embraced by the duodenum<\/li>
- Features the\u00a0uncinate process<\/strong>. The uncinate process develops from ventral bud (unlike the rest of the pancreas which develops from the dorsal bud).<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Neck<\/strong>
- Located anterior to the superior mesenteric vessels<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Body<\/strong>
- Runs along the splenic vein<\/li>
- Covered by peritoneum anteriorly<\/li>
- Lies in the floor of the omental bursa<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Tail<\/strong>
- Engulfed by the splenorenal ligament<\/li>
- Considered intraperitoneal<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Ducts<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nThe pancreas usually has 2 ducts that may or may not communicate with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Main pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li>
- Accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The m<\/strong>ain pancreatic duct<\/strong> (or duct<\/strong> of Wirsung<\/strong>) begins at the tail, runs along the parenchyma, uniting with the common bile duct to form the hepatopancreatic duct<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe hepatopancreatic duct forms a dilated part at its end (the hepatopancreatic ampulla <\/strong>or ampulla of Vater<\/strong>) which drains to the descending duodenum and opens as the major duodenal papilla <\/strong>(or papilla of Vater<\/strong>), forming the border between the foregut and the midgut.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe main pancreatic duct and the common bile duct have their own sphincters to control the rate of flow of bile and pancreatic juice, as well the hepatopancreatic ampulla (the sphincter of Oddi<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong> is usually superior to and smaller than the main duct, opening to the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\nNeurovasculature<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\nBlood supply<\/strong><\/td>Splenic artery<\/strong>
Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the celiac trunk)
Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the superior mesenteric artery)<\/td><\/tr>Venous drainage<\/strong><\/td>Into the portal circulation through:
Splenic vein<\/strong>
Superior <\/strong>and inferior pancreaticoduodenal veins<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>Innervation<\/strong><\/td>Celiac plexus<\/strong>: abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves (sympathetic), and the vagus nerve (parasympathetic)<\/td><\/tr>Lymphatic drainage<\/strong><\/td>Pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes, draining into the superior mesenteric and celiac\u00a0 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Table 1. Neurovasculature of the pancreas<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span>
- Embraced by the duodenum<\/li>
- Features the\u00a0uncinate process<\/strong>. The uncinate process develops from ventral bud (unlike the rest of the pancreas which develops from the dorsal bud).<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Neck<\/strong>
- Located anterior to the superior mesenteric vessels<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Body<\/strong>
- Runs along the splenic vein<\/li>
- Covered by peritoneum anteriorly<\/li>
- Lies in the floor of the omental bursa<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Tail<\/strong>
- Engulfed by the splenorenal ligament<\/li>
- Considered intraperitoneal<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Ducts<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
The pancreas usually has 2 ducts that may or may not communicate with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Main pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li>
- Accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The m<\/strong>ain pancreatic duct<\/strong> (or duct<\/strong> of Wirsung<\/strong>) begins at the tail, runs along the parenchyma, uniting with the common bile duct to form the hepatopancreatic duct<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hepatopancreatic duct forms a dilated part at its end (the hepatopancreatic ampulla <\/strong>or ampulla of Vater<\/strong>) which drains to the descending duodenum and opens as the major duodenal papilla <\/strong>(or papilla of Vater<\/strong>), forming the border between the foregut and the midgut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main pancreatic duct and the common bile duct have their own sphincters to control the rate of flow of bile and pancreatic juice, as well the hepatopancreatic ampulla (the sphincter of Oddi<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong> is usually superior to and smaller than the main duct, opening to the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>\n
Neurovasculature<\/h4>\n<\/span>\n\n\n
Blood supply<\/strong><\/td> Splenic artery<\/strong>
Superior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the celiac trunk)
Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery<\/strong>\u00a0(from the superior mesenteric artery)<\/td><\/tr>Venous drainage<\/strong><\/td> Into the portal circulation through:
Splenic vein<\/strong>
Superior <\/strong>and inferior pancreaticoduodenal veins<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>Innervation<\/strong><\/td> Celiac plexus<\/strong>: abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves (sympathetic), and the vagus nerve (parasympathetic)<\/td><\/tr> Lymphatic drainage<\/strong><\/td> Pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes, draining into the superior mesenteric and celiac\u00a0 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> Table 1. Neurovasculature of the pancreas<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span> - Accessory pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Main pancreatic duct<\/strong><\/li>
- Neck<\/strong>