Pancreas

Question 1

what type of organ is the pancreas?

Answer 1

The pancreas is an abdominal glandular organ

Question 2

what are the functions of the pancreas?

Answer 2

the pancreas has a digestive (exocrine) and hormonal (endocrine) function

Question 3

anatomically, what is the shape and size of the pancreas?

Answer 3

oblong-shaped and flattened organ, about the size of the hand

Question 4

where is the pancreas located within the peritoneal cavity?

Answer 4

it is retroperitoneal (behind the peritoneum cavity) - APART FROM THE TAIL

Question 5

where is the pancreas within the abdomen?

Answer 5

located deep within the upper abdomen in the epigastric and left hypochondrium regions

Question 6

how many parts is the pancreas divided into?

Answer 6

5

Question 7

what are the 5 parts that the pancreas is divided into?

Answer 7

head, uncinate process, neck, body, tail

Question 8

where is the head off the pancreas, what shape is it and what is it connected to?

Answer 8

widest part of the pancreas
lies within C-shape curve created by duodenum
connected to duodenum by connective tissues

Question 9

where is the uncinate process of the pancreas?

Answer 9

a projection arising from the lower part of the pancreatic head
extends medially to lie beneath body of pancreas

Question 10

what does the uncinate process of the pancreas lie posterior to?

Answer 10

superior mesenteric vessels

Question 11

where is the neck of the pancreas?

Answer 11

between head and body of pancreas

overlies superior mesenteric vessels, which form a groove in the posterior aspect of the neck of pancreas

Question 12

where is the body of the pancreas?

Answer 12

centrally located
crossing midline of human body
lies behind stomach and left of superior mesenteric vessel

Question 13

where is the tail of the pancreas?

Answer 13

left end of the pancreas

lies within close proximity to hilum of spleen

Question 14

where is the tail of the pancreas contained within? what does this make it?

Answer 14

tail of pancreas is contained within the splenorenal ligament with the splenic vessels
the only part of the pancreas that is intraperitoneal

Question 15

what type of gland is the exocrine compartment of the pancreas classified as?

Answer 15

The exocrine compartment is classified as a serous gland

Question 16

what is the exocrine compartment of the pancreas composed of? what is it called?

Answer 16

It is composed of approximately a million ‘berry-like’ clusters of cells called acini

Question 17

what are acini (clusters of pancreatic cells) connected by?

Answer 17

short intercalated ducts

Question 18

what are intercalated duct cells beginning with acini called?

Answer 18

centroacinar cells

Question 19

where do intercalated ducts drain into?

Answer 19

a network of intralobular collecting ducts

Question 20

where does the network of intralobular collecting ducts drain into?

Answer 20

main pancreatic duct

Question 21

what does the pancreatic duct run the length of and what does it unite with?

Answer 21

The pancreatic duct runs the length of the pancreas and unites with the common bile duct

Question 22

what does the union of the pancreatic duct with common bile duct form?

Answer 22

hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater

Question 23

what does hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater open into?

Answer 23

the duodenum

Question 24

what are secretions into the duodenum controlled by? what is it called?

Answer 24

a muscular valve – the sphincter of Oddi

Question 25

what does the sphincter of Oddi surround? what does it act as?

Answer 25

ampulla of Vater, acting as a valve

Question 26

which artery is the pancreas supplied by?

Answer 26

pancreatic branches of the splenic artery

Question 27

what is the head of the pancreas additionally supplied by?

Answer 27

superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries

Question 28

what are pancreaticoduodenal arteries branches of?

Answer 28

gastroduodenal and superior mesenteric arteries

Question 29

what is venous drainage of the head of the pancreas via?

Answer 29

superior mesenteric branches of the hepatic portal vein

Question 30

which vein drains the rest of the pancreas?

Answer 30

pancreatic veins

Question 31

what does the pancreatic vein drain into?

Answer 31

splenic vein

Question 32

what is the pancreas drained by in terms of lymphs?

Answer 32

lymphatic vessels that follow the arterial supply

Question 33

what do the lymphatic vessels of the pancreas empty into?

Answer 33

pancreaticosplenal nodes and the pyloric nodes

Question 34

what do the pancreaticosplenal nodes and the pyloric nodes drain into?

Answer 34

superior mesenteric and celiac lymph nodes