Body of the Pancreas Flashcards

Examine the pancreatic body, including its surfaces, borders, vascular relationships, ductal anatomy, histology, and surgical significance.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the body of the pancreas?

The elongated central portion of the pancreas extending between the neck and tail.

In This Section

1. What is the body of the pancreas?

The elongated central portion of the pancreas extending between the neck and tail.

2. Which part of the pancreas lies immediately to the right of its body?

The neck of the pancreas.

3. Which part of the pancreas continues laterally from its body?

The tail of the pancreas.

4. What is the general direction of the pancreatic body?

It extends toward the left and slightly superiorly across the posterior abdominal wall.

5. What is the usual vertebral level of the body of the pancreas?

Approximately the first and second lumbar vertebral levels.

6. What is the peritoneal relationship of the pancreatic body?

It is secondarily retroperitoneal.

7. What are the three surfaces of the pancreatic body?

Anterior, posterior, and inferior surfaces.

8. What are the three borders of the pancreatic body?

Superior, anterior, and inferior borders.

9. Which organ lies anterior to the body of the pancreas?

The stomach, separated from the pancreas by the lesser sac.

10. Which peritoneal cavity separates the pancreatic body from the stomach?

The lesser sac, also called the omental bursa.

11. Which artery follows a tortuous course along the superior border of the pancreatic body?

The splenic artery.

12. Which major vein courses posterior to the body of the pancreas?

The splenic vein.

13. Which major artery lies posterior to the pancreatic body near the midline?

The abdominal aorta.

14. Which kidney is related to the posterior surface of the pancreatic body?

The left kidney.

15. Which suprarenal gland lies posterior to the pancreatic body?

The left suprarenal gland.

16. Which renal vessels pass posterior to the pancreatic body?

The left renal vessels, particularly the left renal vein.

17. Which structure attaches along the anterior border of the pancreatic body?

The transverse mesocolon.

18. Which abdominal organ is commonly related to the inferior surface of the pancreatic body?

The jejunum, including loops near the duodenojejunal flexure.

19. What is the omental tuberosity of the pancreas?

A variable prominence on the anterior surface of the pancreatic body near its neck.

20. Which pancreatic duct runs longitudinally through the body of the pancreas?

The main pancreatic duct, also called the duct of Wirsung.

21. In which direction does pancreatic juice flow through the main duct within the body?

From the tail toward the pancreatic head and duodenum.

22. Which exocrine cells produce digestive enzymes within the pancreatic body?

Pancreatic acinar cells.

23. Which endocrine structures are distributed throughout the pancreatic body?

The pancreatic islets, also called islets of Langerhans.

24. Which arteries provide the principal arterial supply to the pancreatic body?

Pancreatic branches of the splenic artery.

25. Which named artery commonly supplies the middle portion of the pancreatic body?

The dorsal pancreatic artery, whose origin is variable.

26. Where does venous blood from the pancreatic body primarily drain?

Into the splenic vein through pancreatic venous tributaries.

27. Where does lymph from the pancreatic body primarily drain?

To pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes along the splenic vessels.

28. Which autonomic nerve plexus contributes to innervation of the pancreatic body?

The celiac plexus, with fibers distributed along the splenic artery.

29. Which surgical procedure removes the pancreatic body and tail?

Distal pancreatectomy.

30. How can inflammation of the pancreatic body affect the splenic vein?

It may cause splenic vein thrombosis, potentially leading to left-sided portal hypertension.