Anatomy of the Pancreas and Liver Flashcards
What are the main functions of the pancreas?
The main functions of the pancreas include endocrine hormone production (insulin and glucagon) and exocrine enzyme secretion for digestion.
Describe the anatomical location of the pancreas.
The pancreas is located retroperitoneally in the abdominal cavity, behind the stomach and adjacent to the duodenum.
What are the anatomical divisions of the pancreas?
The pancreas is anatomically divided into a head, body, and tail.
Explain the blood supply to the pancreas.
The pancreas is supplied by branches of the celiac artery (splenic artery and gastroduodenal artery).
Describe the lymphatic drainage of the pancreas.
The lymphatic drainage of the pancreas primarily involves lymph nodes around the pancreaticoduodenal arteries.
What are the main cell types in the pancreatic islets?
The pancreatic islets contain alpha cells (producing glucagon), beta cells (producing insulin), delta cells (producing somatostatin), and PP cells (producing pancreatic polypeptide).
What hormones are produced by the pancreatic islets?
The pancreatic islets produce hormones such as insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
Describe the structure and function of acinar cells in the pancreas.
Acinar cells in the pancreas secrete digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and proteases.
Explain the process of pancreatic enzyme activation.
Pancreatic enzyme activation occurs in the duodenum, where inactive proenzymes are converted into active enzymes.
What is the role of pancreatic juice in digestion?
Pancreatic juice contains enzymes for digestion (lipase, amylase, proteases) and bicarbonate for neutralizing stomach acid.
Describe the anatomy of the pancreatic duct system.
The pancreatic duct system includes the main pancreatic duct (duct of Wirsung) and accessory duct (duct of Santorini).
What is the pancreaticoduodenal artery, and what structures does it supply?
The pancreaticoduodenal artery supplies the pancreas, duodenum, and associated structures.
Explain the clinical significance of the pancreatic duct.
The pancreatic duct can be obstructed, leading to pancreatic ductal dilation and potential complications.
What is the pancreas divisum?
Pancreas divisum is a congenital anomaly where the dorsal and ventral pancreatic ducts fail to fuse.
Describe the arterial supply to the liver.
The liver is primarily supplied by the hepatic artery (from the celiac trunk) and portal vein.
Explain the venous drainage of the liver.
Venous drainage of the liver occurs via the hepatic veins into the inferior vena cava.
What are the anatomical lobes of the liver?
The liver has two anatomical lobes: the right lobe and left lobe.
Describe the structure and function of hepatocytes.
Hepatocytes are the main functional cells of the liver, responsible for metabolic processes and detoxification.
What is the hepatic triad?
The hepatic triad consists of a bile ductule, branch of the hepatic artery, and branch of the portal vein.
Explain the function of Kupffer cells in the liver.
Kupffer cells are specialized macrophages in the liver responsible for phagocytosis.
What is the role of bile in digestion?
Bile aids in emulsification and digestion of fats in the small intestine.
Describe the anatomy of the bile duct system.
The bile duct system includes the hepatic ducts, common bile duct, and cystic duct.
Explain the composition and function of bile.
Bile is composed of bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, phospholipids, and water.
What is the gallbladder, and what is its function?
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.
