Where is the pancreas located in the body?

The pancreas is a gland, about six inches long, located in the abdomen. It is shaped like a flat pear and is surrounded by the stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen and gallbladder. The wide end of the pancreas on the right side of the body is called the head. The middle sections are the neck and body.

Where are the endocrine islets located in the pancreas?

The endocrine component makes up about 2% of the pancreas, which is represented by about 1-2 million pancreatic islets (of Langerhans). They are dispersed throughout the exocrine component of the pancreas, most of them being located in the tail region.

Is the pancreas in the anterior pararenal space?

The pancreas lies in the anterior pararenal space, and shares this space with the transverse duodenum, and great vessels. The latter have been given a subcompartment by some authors, called the central retroperitoneum, since the great vessels seem to be protected from anterior pararenal space disease.

Where is the intraperitoneal tail of the pancreas?

It is located anterior to the L2 vertebra, and also forms the floor of the omental bursa (lesser sac). The aorta, superior mesenteric artery, left renal vessels, left kidney, and left suprarenal gland are situated posterior to the pancreatic body. Finally, the intraperitoneal tail is the last part of the pancreas.

What is anterior to the tail of the pancreas?

The tail is anterior to the left crus of the diaphragm, the left adrenal gland, and the left kidney, from which it is separated by the anterior portion of Gerota’s fascia The neck of the pancreas lies in the transpyloric plane in the midline.

What is the thin end of the pancreas called?

The thin end of the pancreas on the left side of the body is called the tail. The uncinate process is the part of the gland that bends backwards and underneath the head of the pancreas.

What is the relationship of the pancreas to its neighbours?

Overall the most important and relevant relations of the pancreas are to the stomach, duodenum, and mesenteries. This acquatic scene shows th relationship of the pancreas to its neighbours particulalrly the splenic vein and left renal vein which run a parallel course, almost like a bunch of buddies romping in the water.

Where are the pancreatic juices released from the stomach?

When food enters the stomach, these pancreatic juices are released into a system of ducts that culminate in the main pancreatic duct. The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct to form the ampulla of Vater which is located at the first portion of the small intestine, called the duodenum.

What does the left side of the pancreas do?

The tapered left side extends slightly upward—called the body of the pancreas—and ends near the spleen—called the tail. The pancreas is made up of 2 types of glands: Exocrine. The exocrine gland secretes digestive enzymes.

Where is the accessory duct of the pancreas located?

In addition to the main duct, the pancreas also contains an accessory duct. It communicates with the main pancreatic duct at the level of the pancreatic neck and opens into the descending part of the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla .

What type of cells are found in the pancreatic islets?

There are four main types of cells in the pancreatic islets: B (beta) cells – these cells secrete insulin and constitute about 70% of the islet cells. They are most commonly located in the central part of the islet. B cells contain many secretory granules which possess a dark center with crystallized insulin, surrounded by a wide pale halo.

How do you get rid of a pseudocyst in the pancreas?

Pancreas Treatments Insulin: Injecting insulin under the skin causes body tissues to absorb glucose, lowering blood sugar. Pseudocyst drainage: A pseudocyst can be drained by inserting a tube or needle through the skin into the pseudocyst. Pseudocyst surgery: Sometimes, surgery is necessary to remove a pseudocyst.