6. Pancreas Flashcards
abdominal glandular organ with both digestive (exocrine) and hormonal (endocrine) functions.
pancreas
The pancreas is an oblong-shaped organ positioned at the level of the
transpyloric plane (L1)
Pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ with the exception of
tail of pancreas
is formed from peritoneum and connects the spleen to the tail of the pancreas.
lienorenal ligament
lie anterior to the pancreas
stomach
transverse mesocolon
Descends behind the head of the pancreas before opening into the second part of the duodenum alongside the major pancreatic duct through the major duodenal papilla
common bie duct
located posteriorly and laterally to the pancreas
spleen
5 parts of the pancreas
Head Uncinate process Neck Body Tail
the widest part of the pancreas. It lies within the C-shaped curve created by the duodenum and is connected to it by connective tissue.
Head
a projection arising from the lower part of the head and extending medially to lie beneath the body of the pancreas. It lies posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels.
Uncinate process
located between the head and the body of the pancreas. It overlies the superior mesenteric vessels which form a groove in its posterior aspect.
Neck of pancreas
centrally located part of pancreas, crossing the midline of the human body to lie behind the stomach and to the left of the superior mesenteric vessels.
Body
the left end of the pancreas that lies within close proximity to the hilum of the spleen.
Tail
This is the only part of the pancreas that is intraperitoneal.
Tail
part of pancreas contained within the splenorenal ligament with the splenic vessels.
Tail
The exocrine pancreas is classified as a ______ which produces digestive enzyme precursors
lobulated, serous gland
exocrine pancreas
is composed of approximately one million ‘berry-like’ clusters of cells called
acini
acini are connected by
short intercalated ducts
The intercalated ducts unite with those draining adjacent lobules and drain into a network of
_____
intralobular collecting ducts
intralobular collecting ducts drain into
main pancreatic duct.
The pancreatic duct runs the length of the pancreas and unites with the common bile duct, forming the
hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater
This structure then opens into the duodenum via the major duodenal papilla.
hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater
Secretions into the duodenum are controlled by a muscular valve
Sphincter of Oddi
Blood supply of the pancreas
- pancreatic branches of the splenic artery
- head -> superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries which are branches of the gastroduodenal (from coeliac trunk) and superior mesenteric arteries, respectively.
venous drainage of the pancreas
- head : superior mesenteric vein -> hepatic portal vein
* pancreatic veins -> splenic vein
Lymphatic drainage of pancreas
panreaticosplenal nodes
pyloric nodes
-> superior mesenteric nodes -> celiac nodes
causes of pancreatitis
GET SMASHED
Gall stones
Ethanol
Trauma
Steroids
Mumps
Autoimmune
Scorpion stings
Hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcaemia and hyperparathyroidism
ERCP – endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Drugs – such as sodium valproate, azathioprine and sulphonamides
s and sx of pancreatitis
severe epigastric pain which often radiates to the back, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Tx pancreatitis
IV fluids and analgesia. Antibiotics are rarely required
The underlying cause will then also need to be treated.
head of the pancreas and uncinate process is derived from
ventral pancreatic bud
the parts of the head , body and tail of the pancreas is derived from
dorsal pacreatic bud
A tumor involving the uncinate process of the pancreas will most likely compress
superior mesenteric artery
accounts for most cases of extrahepatic obstruction of the biliary system
compresses and obstructs the bile duct causing obstructive jaundice resulting in retention of bile pigments, enlargement of GB and jaundice
pancreatic cancer
cancer of neck and body of pancreas may cause
portal or IVC obstruction
surgical resection done in cases of pancreatic cancer
structures removed: head of pancreas, duodenum, CBD, GB, distal part of stomach
Whipple- Pancreaticoduodenectomy
