Pancreas
The pancreas has three main sections:
- Head: area of pancreas to right of left border of superior mesenteric
vein.
- Body: area of pancreas between left border of superior mesenteric vein
and left border of aorta.
- Tail: area of pancreas between left border of aorta and hilum of spleen.
The most common site of primaries is the head of the pancreas. The pancreas
has two functional components: endocrine, to produce insulin and other hormones,
and exocrine, to produce pancreatic juices for digestion. The pancreas is
in direct contact with the stomach, duodenum, spleen, and major vessels of
the abdomen.
 |
1 |
Head of pancreas |
| 2 |
Uncinate process |
| 3 |
Pancreatic notch |
| 4 |
Body of pancreas |
| 5 |
Anterior surface |
| 6 |
Inferior surface |
| 7 |
Superior margin |
| 8 |
Anterior margin |
| 9 |
Inferior margin |
| 10 |
Omental tuber |
| 11 |
Tail of pancreas |
| 12 |
Duodenum |
| |
|
Key words
- Duct of Wirsung: pancreatic duct opening into duodenum.
- Insulin: hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates carbohydrate
metabolism.
