Body of pancreas

The body of the pancreas is the central connecting part between the left and right lobes. It is generally small compared to the lobes and is located at the point where the pancreatic duct (and sometimes the accessory duct) enters the duodenum.

• In most species, the body lies close to the pylorus of the stomach and the proximal duodenum.

• It often lies in the mesoduodenum (the mesentery of the descending duodenum).

• The pancreatic ducts typically converge in the body and enter the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla.

• On the cranial surface of the body of the pancreas is a rounded or slightly raised area that comes into contact with the lesser omentum : the omental tuberosity

Species-Specific Details

Dog:

• The body is relatively small and situated adjacent to the pylorus.

• The right lobe runs along the descending duodenum, and the left lobe lies near the greater curvature of the stomach.

• The main pancreatic duct (if present) and accessory duct enter the duodenum at separate sites, typically at the major and minor duodenal papillae, respectively.

Cat:

• The pancreatic body is similar in position to the dog.

• Unlike the dog, cats usually have only one pancreatic duct, which is homologous to the main duct and enters the duodenum with the bile duct.

Horse:

• The pancreas is extensive and somewhat irregular in shape, with a longer body.

• The body of the pancreas is closely related to the portal vein, which passes through a pancreatic ring.

• The ducts usually open into the duodenum via a single pancreatic duct.

Ruminants (Cattle, Sheep, Goat):

• The body is located near the portal vein and hepatic artery.

• In cattle, the pancreas forms a complete ring around the portal vein, similar to the horse.

• Ruminants may have a single or double duct system depending on the species.

Pig:

• The body of the pancreas surrounds the portal vein, forming a complete loop like in ruminants.

• The main pancreatic duct joins the bile duct before opening into the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla.

Vascular and Ductal Relations

• The pancreatic body is often pierced or closely associated with the portal vein in larger herbivores (e.g., horse, ox).

• Blood supply generally comes from branches of the celiac and cranial mesenteric arteries.

• The main pancreatic duct frequently traverses the body and may converge with the bile duct before entering the duodenum.