Anatomy of Pancreas 9/17/2018 8:35:00 AM

The pancreas is glandular organ with both digestive (exocrine)

and hormonal (endocrine) functions.

Anatomical Landmarks:
It is retroperitoneal( except the tail, Its intraperitoneal) and lies within the duodenal curve,
close to superior mesenteric artery and portal vein 

• Head -(right of left border of superior mesenteric vein; contains uncinate process)
 The head of the pancreas lies in the loop of the duodenum as it exits the
stomach.
 The aorta and inferior vena cava pass posteriorly to the head of the pancreas

• Neck
 -
 The superior mesenteric artery lies behind the neck of the pancreas and anterior
to the uncinate process.
 Posterior to the neck of the pancreas, the splenic and superior mesenteric veins
unite to form the hepatic portal vein.
 Uncinate process – a projection arising from the lower part of the head and extending
medially to lie beneath the body of the pancreas

• Body - (between left border of superior mesenteric vein and left border of aorta)
• Tail - tail extends to the splenic hilum 


 Transverse mesocolon – Attaches to the anterior surface of the pancreas

 Common bile duct – Descends behind the head of the pancreas before opening into
the second part of the duodenum alongside the major pancreatic duct through the major
duodenal papilla.

Vascular supply:
 Arterial:
pancreatic branches of
the splenic artery.
the head is additionally supplied
by the superior and inferior
pancreaticoduodenal arteries ,
branches of
the gastroduodenal (from coeliac
trunk) and superior mesenteric
arteries)

 Venous:
Head: superior mesenteric branches of the hepatic portal vein
Rest of pancreas: pancreatic veins do so via the splenic vein.
 Lymph:
pancreatic lymph vessels empty into the pancreaticosplenal nodes and the pyloric
nodes, which in turn drain into the superior mesenteric and coeliac lymph nodes.

The Normal Pancreas:

The pancreas has 2 functional components:
 An endocrine component- for the production of insulin & other hormones
 an exocrine component- for the production of digestive enzymes.

The pancreatic Ductal System:

 The Exocrine pancreas is composed of approximately one million ‘berry-like’ clusters of
cells called acini(small ball of secretory epithelial cells containing a tiny central
lumen ) and associated ducts. Acini formed by serous cells ( I.e. enzyme secreting
cells) that are commonly found in pabcreas and salivery glands.
 The acinar cells have zymogen-containing granules that are secreted into the
intralobar ducts
  Centroacinar cells produces HCO3-
The epithelial cells of the larger ducts also express the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

(CFTR); aberrant function of this membrane protein affects the viscosity of the pancreatic secretions and has a

fundamental role in the pathophysiology of pancreatic disease in persons with cystic fibrosis

Intercalating ducts  intralobular collecting ducts (network) interlobular duct (

larger)  Main Pancreatic duct ( duct of Wirsung)
 Duodenum

 The endocrine compartment is composed of small groups of cells or islets (of

Langerhans) distributed throughout the pancreas.
 These islets form only from 1-2% of the total mass of the pancreas.
 B cells: 70% of the total islets
o Secrete insulin: stimulate uptake of glucose from circulation.
 D cells: 5-10% of endocrine tissue
o Secrete somatostatin : inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion.
 The PP cells
o secrete pancreatic polypeptide: stimulates gastric chief cells, inhibits
bile secretion and intestinal motility; inhibits pancreatic enzymes and
bicarbonate secretion.
 The EC cells
o secrete secretin, motilin and substance P.
o Secretin acts locally to stimulate bicarbonate secretion in pancreatic fluid
and pancreatic enzyme secretion. Motilin increases gastric and intestinal
motility. Substance P function is unclear.
9/17/2018 8:35:00 AM
9/17/2018 8:35:00 AM