Chapter 12 keyterms

The Pancreas

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acini cells –

cells that perform exocrine function

amylase –

enzyme secreted by the pancreas to aid in the digestion of carbohydrates

body of the pancreas –

lies in the midepigastrium anterior to the superior mesenteric artery and vein, aorta, and inferior vena cava

caudal pancreatic artery –

branch of the splenic artery that supplies the tail of the pancreas

C-loop of the duodenum –

forms the lateral border of the head of the pancreas

common hepatic artery –

artery arising from the celiac trunk to supply the liver; forms the right superior border of the body and head of the pancreas and gives ris

Courvoisier’s sign –

enlargement of the gallbladder caused by a slow, progressive obstruction of the distal common bile duct from an external mass such as adenoc

cystic fibrosis –

inherited disorder of the exocrine glands; symptoms include mucous buildup within the lungs and other areas of the body; identified as fatty

dorsal pancreatic artery –

branch of the splenic artery that supplies the body of the pancreas

duct of Santorini –

small accessory duct of the pancreas found in the head of the pancreas

duct of Wirsung –

largest duct of the pancreas that drains the tail, body, and head of the gland; it joins the common bile duct to enter the duodenum through

endocrine –

endocrine function of the pancreas is production of the hormone insulin

exocrine –

exocrine function of the pancreas is production and digestion of pancreatic juice; primary function of the pancreas

glucagon –

hormone that stimulates the liver to convert glycogen to glucose; produced by alpha cells

head of the pancreas –

lies in the C-loop of the duodenum; the gastroduodenal artery is the anterolateral border and the common bile duct is the posterolateral bor

hypercalcemia –

elevated levels of calcium in the blood

hyperlipidemia –

congenital condition in which elevated fat levels cause pancreatitis

ileus –

dilated loops of bowel without peristalsis; associated with various abdominal problems, including pancreatitis, sickle cell crisis, and bowe

insulin –

hormone that causes glycogen formation from glucose in the liver and that allows circulating glucose to enter tissue cells

islets of Langerhans –

portion of the pancreas that has an endocrine function and produces insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin

lipase –

pancreatic enzyme that breaks down fats; enzyme is elevated in pancreatitis and remains increased longer than amylase

lymphoma –

a malignant neoplasm that rises from the lymphoid tissues

neck of the pancreas –

small area of the pancreas between the head and the body; anterior to the superior mesenteric vein

obstructive jaundice –

excessive bilirubin in the bloodstream caused by an obstruction of bile from the liver; characterized by a yellow discoloration of the scler

pancreatic ascites –

fluid accumulation caused by a rupture of a pancreatic pseudocyst into the abdomen; free-floating pancreatic enzymes are very dangerous to s

pancreatic pseudocyst –

“sterile abscess” collection of pancreatic enzymes that accumulate in the available space in the abdomen (usually in or near the pancreas)

pancreaticoduodenal arteries –

help supply blood to the pancreas along with the splenic artery

pancreatitis –

inflammation of the pancreas; may be acute or chronic

portal-splenic confluence –

junction of the splenic and main portal vein; posterior border of the body of the pancreas

pseudocyst –

a space or cavity that contains fluid but has no true endothelial lining membrane

serum amylase –

pancreatic enzyme that is elevated during pancreatitis

superior mesenteric artery –

serves as the posterior border to the body of the pancreas

superior mesenteric vein –

lies posterior to the neck/body of the pancreas and anterior to the uncinate process of the gland

tail of the pancreas –

tapered end of the pancreas that lies in the left hypochondrium near the hilus of the spleen and upper pole of the left kidney

uncinate process –

small, curved tip of the pancreatic head that lies posterior to the superior mesenteric vein