Pancreas Flashcards
what type of organ is the pancreas?
The pancreas is an abdominal glandular organ
what are the functions of the pancreas?
the pancreas has a digestive (exocrine) and hormonal (endocrine) function
anatomically, what is the shape and size of the pancreas?
oblong-shaped and flattened organ, about the size of the hand
where is the pancreas located within the peritoneal cavity?
it is retroperitoneal (behind the peritoneum cavity) - APART FROM THE TAIL
where is the pancreas within the abdomen?
located deep within the upper abdomen in the epigastric and left hypochondrium regions
how many parts is the pancreas divided into?
5
what are the 5 parts that the pancreas is divided into?
head, uncinate process, neck, body, tail
where is the head off the pancreas, what shape is it and what is it connected to?
widest part of the pancreas
lies within C-shape curve created by duodenum
connected to duodenum by connective tissues
where is the uncinate process of the pancreas?
a projection arising from the lower part of the pancreatic head
extends medially to lie beneath body of pancreas
what does the uncinate process of the pancreas lie posterior to?
superior mesenteric vessels
where is the neck of the pancreas?
between head and body of pancreas
overlies superior mesenteric vessels, which form a groove in the posterior aspect of the neck of pancreas
where is the body of the pancreas?
centrally located
crossing midline of human body
lies behind stomach and left of superior mesenteric vessel
where is the tail of the pancreas?
left end of the pancreas
lies within close proximity to hilum of spleen
where is the tail of the pancreas contained within? what does this make it?
tail of pancreas is contained within the splenorenal ligament with the splenic vessels
the only part of the pancreas that is intraperitoneal
what type of gland is the exocrine compartment of the pancreas classified as?
The exocrine compartment is classified as a serous gland
what is the exocrine compartment of the pancreas composed of? what is it called?
It is composed of approximately a million ‘berry-like’ clusters of cells called acini
what are acini (clusters of pancreatic cells) connected by?
short intercalated ducts
what are intercalated duct cells beginning with acini called?
centroacinar cells
where do intercalated ducts drain into?
a network of intralobular collecting ducts
where does the network of intralobular collecting ducts drain into?
main pancreatic duct
what does the pancreatic duct run the length of and what does it unite with?
The pancreatic duct runs the length of the pancreas and unites with the common bile duct
what does the union of the pancreatic duct with common bile duct form?
hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater
what does hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater open into?
the duodenum
what are secretions into the duodenum controlled by? what is it called?
a muscular valve – the sphincter of Oddi
what does the sphincter of Oddi surround? what does it act as?
ampulla of Vater, acting as a valve
which artery is the pancreas supplied by?
pancreatic branches of the splenic artery
what is the head of the pancreas additionally supplied by?
superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries
what are pancreaticoduodenal arteries branches of?
gastroduodenal and superior mesenteric arteries
what is venous drainage of the head of the pancreas via?
superior mesenteric branches of the hepatic portal vein
which vein drains the rest of the pancreas?
pancreatic veins
what does the pancreatic vein drain into?
splenic vein
what is the pancreas drained by in terms of lymphs?
lymphatic vessels that follow the arterial supply
what do the lymphatic vessels of the pancreas empty into?
pancreaticosplenal nodes and the pyloric nodes
what do the pancreaticosplenal nodes and the pyloric nodes drain into?
superior mesenteric and celiac lymph nodes
