The pancreas Flashcards
Which part of the pancreas is intraperitoneal?
The tail
What organs are anatomically related to the pancreas?
Stomach Duodenum Transverse mesocolon Common bile duct Spleen
How is the pancreas anatomically divided?
Head (widest part located in C of duodenum) Uncinate process Neck Body Tail (intraperitoneal)
What is the exocrine pancreas?
Lobulated, serous gland
Produces digestive enzyme precursors
Made up of clusters of cells (acini) connected by short intercalated ducts
Intercalated ducts join to become intralobular collecting ducts and then drain into the main pancreatic duct
What is the Hepatopancreatic Ampulla of Vater?
Formed by merging of pancreatic duct with common bile duct - opens into duodenum via major duodenal papilla
What is the Sphincter of Oddi?
Muscular valve surrounding Ampulla of Vater that controls secretions into the duodenum
What is the blood supply to the pancreas?
Pancreatic branches of the Splenic Artery (CT)
Pancreaticoduodenal Arteries - superior arises from gastroduodenal artery (coealic trunk) and inferior from the SMA
What is the venous drainage of the pancreas?
Head of pancreas - SMV
Rest of pancreas - splenic vein
[Both form Portal vein]
What are the causes of Pancreatitis?
Gall stones Ethanol Trauma Steroids Mumps Autoimmune Scorpion stings Hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcaemia, hyperparathyroidism ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) Drugs
What are the common symptoms of Pancreatitis?
Severe epigastric pain (often radiates to the back)
Nausea/ vomiting
Diarrhoea
What is the treatment for Pancreatitis?
IV fluids
Analgesia
Underlying cause should be treated
What is the surface anatomy of the Pancreas?
Epigastric region extending into Left Hypochondrium
Neck = Transpyloric (L1)
Tail = Near splenic hilum
What embryological development can cause problems with the pancreas?
Formation of an annular pancreas causes obstruction to the duodenum
What drains through the minor duodenal papilla?
Accessory pancreatic duct
What drains through the major duodenal papilla?
Pancreatic and hepatic secretion (Hepatopancreatic Ampulla of Vater)
