Neck of pancreas
Collum pancreatis
DigestiveOrgansAbdomen
- What it is
- Short narrowed part joining the head to the body, lying in front of the portal vein and superior mesenteric vessels.
- 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 cm long.
- Clinical note
- The portal vein forms right behind it (superior mesenteric + splenic veins), making it the key landmark in pancreatic surgery.