Pancreas Anatomy: Exact Location in the Abdomen

Pancreas Position

The pancreas is a retroperitoneal gland located deep in the upper abdomen (epigastrium), behind the stomach.

Anatomic Relations

• Head: Nestled in the C-loop of the duodenum (right upper quadrant).
• Neck: Overlies the superior mesenteric vein/portal vein confluence.
• Body: Crosses the midline, anterior to the aorta, L1–L2 vertebrae.
• Tail: Extends leftward to the splenic hilum in the left hypochondriac region.

Key Landmarks

• Transpyloric plane (L1) – neck/body level.
• Superior mesenteric artery arises behind neck.
• Splenic vein runs along posterior body/tail.
• Stomach lies anterior (separated by lesser sac).

Clinical Relevance

• Pancreatitis pain: epigastric, radiates to back.
• Head masses → obstructive jaundice (compress CBD).
• Tail masses → splenic vein thrombosis, left-sided varices.
• Imaging: CT/MRI with pancreatic protocol; endoscopic ultrasound for detail.

Correction: The tail does extend into the left hypochondriac region, but the bulk of the gland is epigastric/right-sided.