Pancreas Anatomy Flashcards
(19 cards)
Where does the pancreas lie?
A retroperitoneal gland overlying and transversely crossing the bodies of the L1 and L2 vertebrae, the level of the transpyloric plane, on the posterior abdominal wall.
Lies posterior to the stomach, in between the duodenum on the right and spleen in the left. The transverse mesocolon attaches to its anterior margin.
What are the parts of the pancreas?
The head, neck, body and tail
Which part is the head of the pancreas?
The extended part of the gland, lies in the c shaped curve of the duodenum, to the right of the superior mesenteric vessels and just inferior to the transpyloric plane
What does the neck of the pancreas overlie?
Overlies the superior mesenteric vessels which form a groove in its posterior surface.
What is the anterior surface of the neck covered by?
Covered by peritoneum and is adjacent to the pylorus of the stomach
What happens posterior to the neck? (Vessels)
The SMV joins the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein.
Where does the body of the pancreas lie?
To the left of the superior mesenteric vessels, passing over the aorta and L2 vertebra, continuing just over the transpyloric plane posterior to the omental bursa.
What is the anterior surface of the body covered with and what does it form?
Covered with peritoneum and forms the stomach bed.
What is the posterior surface of the body covered with? And what is it in contact with?
Devoid of peritoneum.
In contact with the aorta, SMA, left suprarenal gland, left kidney and renal vessels.
Where does the tail of the pancreas lie?
Lies anterior to the left kidney, where it is closely related to the splenic hilum and the left colic flexure.
What does the tail pass through?
Passes between the layers of the splenorenal ligament with the splenic vessels.
Describe the course of the main pancreatic duct.
Begins at the tail of the pancreas and runs through the gland to the head. It then turns inferiorly, and is closely related to the bile duct. The two usually unite to form a short, dilated hepatopancreatic Ampulla of Vater, which usually opens into the descending part of the duodenum.
What is the arterial supply of the pancreas?
Mainly from the branches of the splenic artery
With which arteries do the pancreatic arteries form branches with?
With pancreatic branches of the gastroduodenal and superior mesenteric arteries
Which arteries that supply the head form branches anteriorly and posteriorly? And which arteries are these branches of?
Anterior and posterior superior pancreaticduodenal arteries - branches of gastroduodenal artery
Anterior and posterior inferior pancreaticduodenal arteries - branches of the SMA
What are the three divisions of arteries?
Coeliac trunk -> splenic -> pancreatic
Coeliac trunk -> common hepatic -> gastroduodenal -> anterior/posterior superior pancreatic duodenal
SMA -> inferior pancreatic duodenal -> anterior/posterior inferior pancreaticduodenal
What is the venous drainage of the pancreas?
Occurs via the pancreatic veins
What are the veins for the head of the pancreas?
Superior and inferior pancreaticduodenal veins
Which veins do the pancreatic veins empty into?
Most empty into the splenic vein but some empty into the SMV
