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Identify location of the Pancreas
Recognize important anatomical relations to
the pancreas
Identify different parts of the pancreas
Recognize main and accessory pancreatic ducts
Identify blood supply of the pancreas
Discuss lymphatic drainage, and nerve supply
of the pancreas
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Pancreas is an elongated accessory
digestive gland
It is a retro peritoneal organ that lies
transversely crossing the bodies of L1-L2
vertebra “ trans pyloric plane”
It is both an endocrine and exocrine organ
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Location: Retro-peritoneum, 2nd lumbar
vertebral level
Has an oblique, transverse position
Parts of pancreas: head, neck, body and tail
Anatomical relations & Parts
Parts:
Body
Head,
Neck,
Tail
Uncinate process
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Includes uncinate process
Flattened, 2 – 3 cm thick
Right border: related to the 2nd and 3rd
portions of duodenum
Superior Pancreatico Duodenal
Artery(SPDA) and Inferior Pancreatico
Duodenal Artery (IPDA) anastamose
between the rt. lateral border & the
duodenum
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2.5 cm in length
Straddles SMV and PV
Superior border relates to the pylorus
Superior mesenteric vessels emerge from the
inferior border
Posteriorly, SMV and splenic vein confluence
to form portal vein
Posteriorly, most often no branches to pancreas
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Elongated, long structure
Anterior surface, separated from stomach
by lesser sac
Posterior surface, related to aorta, Lt.
adrenal gland, Lt. renal vessels and upper
1/3rd of Lt. kidney
Splenic vein runs embedded in the post.
surface closer to the superior border
Inferior surface is covered by transverse
mesocolon
Posterior relations
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Narrow, short segment
Lies at the level of the 12th thoracic
vertebra
Ends within the splenic hilum
Lies in the splenophrenic ligament
Anteriorly, related to splenic flexure of
colon
May be injured during splenectomy
(fistula)
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Main duct (Wirsung) runs the entire length of pancreas
Joins CBD at the ampulla of Vater
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Variety of major arterial sources (Celiac,
SMA and Splenic)
Celiac  Common Hepatic Artery 
Gastroduodenal Artery  Superior
pancreaticoduodenal artery which divides
into anterior and posterior branches
SMA  Inferior pancreaticoduodenal
artery which divides into anterior and
posterior branches
Arterial Supply of Pancreas
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Follows arterial supply
Ultimately, into portal vein
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Rich periacinar network that drain into 5
nodal groups
Superior nodes
 Anterior nodes
 Inferior nodes
 Posterior PD nodes
 Splenic nodes
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Sympathetic fibers from the splanchnic
nerves
Parasympathetic fibers from the vagus
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Rich afferent sensory fiber network
Ganglionectomy or celiac ganglion
blockade interrupt these somatic fibers
(pancreatic pain)
However the origin of pancreatic pain is
difficult to explain anatomically
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Keith L. Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy
Sixth edition pages 265-268
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Keith L. Moore Clinically Oriented Anatomy
Sixth edition pages 265-268
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