Pancreas Anatomy: Understanding the Head, Body, and Tail

Pancreas Structure

Main Parts

• Head: Widest part, upper right abdomen below liver.
• Body: Middle section, behind stomach.
• Tail: Thinnest part, upper left abdomen near spleen.

Additional Structures

• Islets of Langerhans: Cell clusters producing insulin, glucagon (blood sugar control).
• Pancreatic ducts: Carry digestive enzymes to small intestine.
• Ampulla of Vater: Where pancreatic duct and common bile duct join before entering intestine.
• Sphincter of Oddi: Muscle controlling pancreatic juice/bile flow into intestine.