Pancreas & Spleen Flashcards
Structure of pancreas
Where is the head of the pancreas
Sits in C shaped curve of duodenum and lies to the right of the superior mesenteric artery
Where is the uncinate process in relation to the superior mesenteric artery
Posterior to superior mesenteric artery
Where is the neck of the pancreas
Constricted part - lies between the head and body and lies directly behind pylorus of stomach
Where is the body of the pancreas
Lies to left of superior mesenteric artery and passes anterior to the abdominal aorta
Where is the tail of the pancreas
Lies within splenorenal ligament
ONLY INTRAPERITONEAL PART - closely related to hilum of spleen
Is the pancreas mostly intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal
RETROPERITONEAL
What does the main pancreatic duct unite with and what does it open into
Unites with common bile duct
Opens into GIT with the common bile duct via major duodenal papilla
(Runs through parenchyma of gland)
Hepatopancreatic ampulla
Arterial supply of pancreas
Venous drainage of pancreas
Part of portal system - drain to liver before going to the heart
ultimately HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN
Summary of pancreas
Where is the spleen located
LUQ
Where does the spleen lie
Is it intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal
Mid-axillary line
Intraperitoneal
Which is the largest lymphatic organ in the body
Spleen
Capable of marked expansion and relatively rapid contraction
What does the spleen act as
A blood reservoir
- Identifies, removes and destroys old RBCs
- Recycles iron and globin
Close anatomical relationships of spleen
ANTERIORLY
Stomach
POSTEROLATERALLY
Diaphragm - left dome
Ribs 9, 10, 11
MEDIALLY
Left colic flexure
INFERIORLY
Left kidney
Tail of pancreas
Arterial supply of spleen
Splenic artery - direct branch of celiac trunk (arises from abdominal aorta @ T12)
Largest branch - tortuous in nature
Lies against posterior abdominal wall - therefore immediately posterior to the omental bursa and behind the peritoneum
Courses along the superior border of the pancreas
What is the venous drainage of the spleen
Splenic vein is formed by the many tributaries that leave the hilum of the spleen
Splenic vein runs posterior to the body of the pancreas
Inferior mesenteric vein usually drains into splenic vein
Splenic unites with superior mesenteric to form the hepatic portal vein
Summary of spleen
