SFP: pancreas and spleen Flashcards
Describe the function of the pancreas
It has both exocrine and endocrine function via production of digestive enzymes and hormones.
What is the general positioning of the pancreas?
It is retroperitoneal, except for the tail that is intraperitoneal. It crosses midline around L1-2.
The pancreas empties its digestive enzymes into the…
Duodenum.
What organs are anterior to the pancreas?
Stomach, first part of duodenum, left lobe of liver.
What ligaments are anterior to the pancreas?
Lesser omentum and transverse mesocolon.
What vessels are anterior to the pancreas?
Superior mesenteric artery and vein.
What vessel is posterior to the pancreas?
Abdominal aorta.
The superior mesenteric artery passes anterior to…
The uncinate process and third part of duodenum.
The superior mesenteric artery passes posterior to…
The neck of the pancreas.
What joins to form the portal vein?
Superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein.
Where do the superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein join?
Posterior to the neck of the pancreas.
How does the pancreas release its exocrine product?
The main pancreatic duct and accessory pancreatic duct that empty into the duodenum.
What do the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas produce?
Insulin and glucagon.
What is the hepatopancreatic ampulla?
The joining of the bile duct and main pancreatic duct that opens into the second part of the duodenum.
What is the sphincter of Oddi?
Smooth muscle structure surrounding the hepatopancreatic ampulla; relaxation of this structure allows bile and pancreatic enzymes to enter the duodenum.
What aids in relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi?
Cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, nitric oxide.
What is the major duodenal papilla?
Area in the wall of the second part of the duodenum where the hepatopancreatic ampulla enters.
What is the minor duodenal papilla?
Area in the wall of the second part of the duodenum where the accessory pancreatic duct enters.
What can cause obstructive jaundice?
Mass in the head of the pancreas impacts flow from the bile duct.
What are the main arterial supplies of the pancreas?
Celiac and superior mesenteric arteries.
What is the general location of the spleen?
LUQ and intraperitoneal; associated with ribs 9-11.
The convex surface of the spleen is in contact with…
The diaphragm.
The concave surface of the spleen is in contact with…
The left kidney, stomach, and colon.
What ligaments provide peritoneal attachment to the spleen?
Splenorenal and gastrosplenic.
