anatomy of pancreas

1. Anatomy of pancreas
Dr. Mohamed Elfiky
Professor of anatomy and embryology

2. Site : It is an elongated gland lying transversely across
the posterior abdominal wall, extending from the
concavity of the duodenum on the right to the spleen
on the left . It is situated in the lower part of
epigastric region .
Surface Anatomy:
Point 1 : lies at the point where the subcostal plane (b) cross the midline
.i.e. opposite L3
Point 2 : lies at the point where the transpyloric plane (a) cross the midline
i.e opposite L1 this point represent omental tubersity
Point 3 : lies at the point where the transpyloric plane (a) cross the left
lateral (c) plane : this point represent the tail of pancreas
Mohamed el fiky
Pancreas

3. 1- The head :
- It is the expanded right part of
pancreas .
- It is occupies the concavity of the
duodenum .
-It is flattened having anterior and
posterior surfaces
- Its lower left part sends a projection
behind the superior mesenteric
vessels called the uncinate process .
Parts and Relations
head
neck
body
tail
Mohamed el fiky

4. Parts and Relations
1- Relations of the head
- Anteriorly :
1- Transverse colon : in front of its upper part
2- Coils of jejunum : in front of its lower part.
3- Superior mesenteric vessels in front of the uncinate process .
Posteriorly :
1- Common bile duct : behind the upper lateral part
2- I.V.C. and termination of renal veins.
3- Aorta : behind the uncinate process .
Superiorly , laterally and inferiorly : the head is related to the
duodenum .
Mohamed el fiky

5. Parts and Relations
2- relation of the Neck
- It is the narrow part which joins the head with the body .
- It is related to junctions
Anteriorly : related to pyloroduodenal junction.
Posteriorly : related to the junction between splenic and superior
mesenteric vein to form the portal vein .
Mohamed el fiky

6. 3- Relation of the body
Extends to the left slightly upwards crossing the median plane opposite L1 . It is triangular in cross section having 3
borders and 3 surfaces : Superior border Anterior border Inferior border
The borders are
Related to the splenic artery
Gives attachment to transverse mesocolon
related to coils of jejunum
The surfaces are:
1- Anterior surface :
- Bounded by the superior and anterior borders.
- It is covered by the peritoneum of the
posterior wall of lesser sac .
- It is related to the stomach but separated
from it by the cavity of lesser sac .
- It sends a projection above the lesser curvature of stomach called tuber omental which is related to the
posterior surface of the lesser omentum . Mohamed el fiky

7. 3- Relation of the body
2- Inferior surface :
- Bounded by the anterior and inferior borders and is a narrow surface. - It
is covered by the peritoneum of the greater sac .
- It is related to duodeno-jejunal flexure and coils of jejunum .
3- Posterior surface :
- Bounded by the superior and inferior borders
- Not covered by peritoneum and lies directly on the posterior abdominal
wall . It is related to :
I- 2 arteries : 1- abdominal aorta . 2- Origin of sup. mesenteric artery
II- 2 veins : 1- Splenic vein . 2- Left renal vein .
III- 2 muscles : 1- Left crus of diaphragm .
2- Left psoas major and left sympathetic chain. IV-
IV. glands : 1- Left kidney ( hilum and anterior surface)
2- Left suprarenal gland (lower pole ) Mohamed el fiky

8. 4- Relation of the tail of pancreas
• It is the narrow left extremity of the gland .
• Passes between the 2 layers of the lieno-
renal ligament and comes into direct
• relation with the visceral surface of the
spleen (closely related to splenic
vessels ) .
Mohamed el fiky

9. 1- Main pancreatic duct (of Wirsung)
- Begins in the tail and passes to the right towards the head
- Emerges from the head and unites with the C.B.D. inside the wall of the
2nd part of the duodenum forming a dilatation called ampulla of Vater,
which opens on the summit of the major duodenal papilla .
2- Accessory pancreatic duct (of Santorini) :
- It is a small duct which drains the upper part of the head and opens into
the duodenum a short distance above the main duct .
Ducts of pancreas
Mohamed el fiky
Main pancreatic duct
Accessory pancreatic duct
Common bile duct

10. Blood Supply Of Pancreas
1- Splenic artery.
2- Superior pancreatico-doudenal artery.
3- Inferior pancreatico-doudenal artery.
Mohamed el fiky