Anatomy · Abdomen and Pelvis

Pancreas: anatomy, relations, blood supply and applied anatomy

7 min read

  • Pancreas: soft, lobulated, elongated exo-endocrine gland.
    • Exocrine part: secretes pancreatic juice digesting lipids, carbohydrates and proteins.
    • Endocrine part: secretes hormones including insulin for glucose homeostasis.

Location, Shape and Size

  • Location: lies transversely on the posterior abdominal wall, in the epigastric and left hypochondriac regions.
    • Runs from the duodenal concavity to the hilum of the spleen, opposite T12 to L3 vertebrae.
  • Mostly retroperitoneal, behind the lesser sac; tail lies in the lienorenal ligament.

location of the pancreas, sagittal section and CT scan Location of the pancreas, sagittal section and CT scan.