Review: Anatomy of the Pancreas & Duodenum

Here is what we have learned from Anatomy of the Pancreas & Duodenum:

  • The three main sections of the pancreas are head, body, and tail.
  • The pancreas is in direct contact with the stomach, duodenum, spleen, and major vessels of the abdomen.
  • The liver is divided into two lobes, right (larger) and left.
  • The gallbladder lies under the liver and frequently (70 %) invades the liver by direct extension.
  • The Ampulla of Vater is a dilated duct less than 1.5 cm in length below the pancreas which empties into duodenum.
  • The intrahepatic bile ducts are in portal area between hepatic lobes, draining hepatic lobules.
  • The extrahepatic bile ducts consist of common hepatic duct, cystic duct, and common bile duct.