Pancreas anatomy Flashcards
What type of organ is the pancreas?
Glandular
Name its two functions.
Exocrine: digestive
Endocrine: hormonal
Where is the pancreas?
Deep within the upper abdomen, in the epigastrium and left hypochondrium regions.
It is retroperitoneal (except its tail)
Name the 5 parts of the pancreas?
Head Uncinate process Neck Body Tail
Describe the location of the head of the pancreas.
Within C-shaped curve created by the duodenum
Describe the location of the tail of the pancreas.
Close proximity of hilum of spleen. Contained within splenorenal ligament with splenic vessels.
Only part that’s intraperitoneal.
What are the anatomical relations of the pancreas?
Stomach - anteriorly and superiorly
Duodenum - anteriorly and medially curving round head of pancreas
Spleen - posteriorly and laterally, connected by ligaments to tail.
What is the blood supply of the pancreas?
Pancreaticduodenal & Splenic arteries
What is the venous drainage of the pancreas?
Body and neck - Splenic vein
Head - Superior mesenteric and portal veins
What type of gland is the exocrine compartment of the pancreas?
Serous
What is the exocrine compartment made of?
A million berry-like clusters of cells called acini which are connected by short intercalated ducts.
What do the intercalated ducts drain into?
Network of intralobular ducts > main pancreatic duct
What is the hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater?
Where the pancreatic duct meets the common bile duct
Where does the ampulla of Vater go?
Opens into duodenum - release of fluid controlled by sphincter of Oddi
What is the endocrine compartment made of?
A million cell clusters called islets of Langerhans.
