Body of pancreas
Corpus pancreatis
DigestiveOrgansAbdomen
- What it is
- Main central part, crossing the aorta, left adrenal and left kidney behind the stomach, from which it is separated by the lesser sac.
- Function
- Its acinar cells secrete about 1.5 L a day of enzyme-rich alkaline juice into the duodenum; scattered islets of Langerhans release insulin and glucagon into the blood.
- Size
- About 2.5 cm high and 1.5 cm thick.
- Clinical note
- Lying over the vertebral column, it can be crushed against the spine in blunt trauma such as steering-wheel or bicycle-handlebar injuries.