Pancreas

• Pancreas


  Soft, finely lobulated, elongated exo-endocrine gland

  
• Exocrine part of pancreas


  Secretes pancreatic juice
• Endocrine part of pancreas

  Secretes hormones like insulin
• Pancreas (in Greek)


  Pan: all, kreas: flesh
• Pancreas named because of its fleshy appearance
• Pancreatic juice


  Helps in the digestion of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins
• Pancreatic hormones


  Maintain glucose homeostasis
• Location of pancreas


  • Lies more or less horizontally on the posterior abdominal wall
  • In the epigastric and left hypochondriac regions
  • Crosses the posterior abdominal wall obliquely from concavity of the duodenum to the hilum of spleen opposite the level of T12–L3 vertebrae
  • Greater part is retroperitoneal behind the serous floor of the lesser sac

  
• Shape of pancreas


  "J"-shaped or retort shaped, set obliquely

  
• Measurements of pancreas: Length: 12–15 cm, Width: 3–4 cm, Thickness: 1.5–2 cm, Weight: 80–90 g

  
• Parts (subdivisions) of pancreas

  • Head
  • Neck
  • Body
  • Tail

  
• Head of pancreas


  • Enlarged, disc-shaped right end
  • Lies in the concavity of the C-shaped duodenal loop in front of the L2 vertebra
  • Has three borders: Superior, inferior, and right lateral
  • Has two surfaces: Anterior and posterior
  • Has one process: Uncinate process

  
• Superior border of head

  Related to first part of duodenum and superior pancreaticoduodenal artery

  
• Inferior border of head

  Related to third part of duodenum and inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery

  
• Right lateral border of head

  Related to second part of duodenum and anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arterial arcades

  
• Anterior surface of head

  Related to gastroduodenal artery, transverse colon, root of the transverse mesocolon, and jejunum

  
• Posterior surface of head

  Related to IVC, left renal vein, bile duct, and right crus of diaphragm

  
• Uncinate process


  Related anteriorly to superior mesenteric vessels, and posteriorly to the abdominal aorta

  
• Neck of pancreas


  • Slightly constricted part connecting head and body
  • About 2.5 cm long, directed forward, upward, and to the left
  • Has two surfaces: Anterior and posterior
  • Has two borders: Upper and lower

  
• Anterior surface of neck


  Related to pylorus
• Posterior surface of neck

  Related to commencement of the portal vein
• Upper border of neck

  Related to the first part of the duodenum
• Lower border of neck

  Related to the root of the transverse mesocolon