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Pancreas Anatomy: Location, Structure, and Key Features
Location
Glandular organ in upper left abdomen, behind stomach, surrounded by liver, gallbladder, small intestines.
Appearance
- Shape & Size: Flat, elongated, tadpole-like—head (widest, right side near stomach), body (horizontal across abdomen), tail (narrowest, left side).
- Color & Texture: Light pink/gray; soft, spongy (glandular).
- Lobes & Ducts: Divided by connective tissue. Head = largest lobe (subdivided). Main pancreatic duct (Wirsung) runs length, joins common bile duct → duodenum. Accessory duct (Santorini) may also drain.
- Blood Supply: Superior/inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, splenic artery; branches within pancreas.
- Innervation: Sympathetic (celiac ganglia) and parasympathetic (vagus nerve); regulate pancreatic juice/hormone secretion.
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