Pancreas

The pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ that serves two functions:

Anatomy

The pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ located posterior to the stomach on the posterior abdominal wall.

Related Topics:
Retroperitoneal - Stomach - Posterior abdominal wall

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In humans the pancreas is a small elongated organ in the abdomen. It is described as having a head, body and tail. The pancreatic head abuts the second part of the duodenum while the tail extends towards the spleen. The pancreatic duct runs the length of the pancreas and empties into the second part of the duodenum at the ampulla of Vater. The common bile duct commonly joins the pancreatic duct at or near this point.

Related Topics:
Duodenum - Spleen - Pancreatic duct - Ampulla of Vater - Common bile duct

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It is supplied arterially by the pancreaticoduodenal arteries, themselves branches of the superior mesenteric artery. Venous drainage is via the pancreaticoduodenal veins which end up in the portal vein. The splenic vein passes posterior to the pancreas but is said to not drain the pancreas itself. The portal vein is formed by the union of the superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein posterior to the body of the pancreas. In some people (some books say 40% of people), the inferior mesenteric vein also joins with the splenic vein behind the pancreas (in others it simply joins with the superior mesenteric vein instead).

Related Topics:
Pancreaticoduodenal arteries - Superior mesenteric artery - Pancreaticoduodenal veins - Portal vein - Splenic vein - Superior mesenteric vein - Inferior mesenteric vein

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