The body of the pancreas runs from the neck to the left, crossing in front of the aorta, the left adrenal gland and the left kidney at about L1-L2. The splenic artery winds along its upper border, and the splenic vein runs in a groove on its back surface. Its front surface forms part of the bed of the stomach behind the lesser sac.
| Location | Crosses the posterior abdominal wall from the neck to the left, anterior to the aorta, left adrenal gland and left kidney, behind the stomach |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Vagus nerve (parasympathetic, secretomotor); Greater and lesser splanchnic nerves via the coeliac and superior mesenteric plexuses (sympathetic and pain) |
| Blood Supply | Dorsal pancreatic artery; Great pancreatic artery; Inferior pancreatic artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate and contains islets that release hormones into the blood.
Cancers of the body and tail cause no jaundice and usually present late with weight loss and back pain from invasion of the coeliac nerve plexus. Because it crosses the vertebral column, the neck and body can be crushed against the spine in blunt trauma, such as a bicycle handlebar or seatbelt injury. Fluid collections from pancreatitis often gather in front of the body in the lesser sac.
Rupture of the pancreas over the vertebral column in blunt abdominal trauma, with risk of duct disruption and fistula.
Pancreatic cancer in the body that often presents late with back pain and weight loss, sometimes treated with coeliac plexus block for pain.
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