Anatomy

Question 1

five sections

Answer 1

the head, uncinate, neck, body, and tail

Question 2

where they are located

Answer 2

• head :
  » lies to the right of midline within the C loop of the duodenum, immediately anterior to the vena cava at the confluence of the renal veins.
• The uncinate process :
  » extends from the head of the pancreas behind the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and terminates adjacent to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).
• The neck is the short segment of pancreas that immediately overlies the SMV.
• The body and tail of the pancreas then extend across the midline, anterior to Gerota fascia and slightly cephalad, terminating within the splenic hilum

Question 3

Arterial Blood Supply

Answer 3

• arising from the celiac trunk and SMA

Question 4

head and uncinate process

Answer 4

> > pancreaticoduodenal arteries (superior and inferior).

> > The superior pancreaticoduodenal artery arises from the gastroduodenal artery and divides into anterior and posterior branches as it runs inferiorly within the pancreaticoduodenal groove.

> > The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery arises from SMA and also divides into anterior and posterior branches as it runs superiorly within pancreaticoduodenal groove.

> > Terminal branches of superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries join each other to form the arcade, which supplies the head and uncinate process of the pancreas and the duodenum

Question 5

The neck, body, and tail

Answer 5

> > receive arterial supply from the splenic arterial system.

> > Several small branches originate from the length of the splenic artery, including :
- the dorsal pancreatic artery
- greater pancreatic artery.

> > The dorsal pancreatic courses posterior to the body of the gland to become the inferior pancreatic artery (also known as the transverse pancreatic artery).

> > The inferior pancreatic artery then runs along the inferior border of the pancreas, terminating at its tail.

Question 6

Venous Drainage

Answer 6

> > the head of the pancreas draining into the anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal veins.

> > The posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vein enters the SMV laterally at the superior border of the neck of the pancreas.

> > The anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vein enters the right gastroepiploic vein just before its confluence with the SMV at the inferior border of the pancreas.

> > The anterior and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal veins enter the SMV along the inferior border of the uncinate process.

> > The remaining body and tail are drained through the splenic venous system.

Question 7

Lymphatic drainage

Answer 7

> > four quadrants of primary drainage.

• left side of the gland drains to lymph nodes in the splenic hilum or gastrosplenic omentum via lymphatics along the superior and inferior border of the pancreas.
• right side of the gland drains superiorly to gastroduodenal lymph nodes and inferiorly to infrapancreatic lymph nodes.

> > secondary drainage pathway occurs via retropancreatic lymph nodes located anterior to the aorta between the celiac and SMAs.