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Diseases of the Pancreas

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Diseases of the Abdomen and Pelvis 2014–2017

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Abstract

Modern cross-sectional imaging with high spatial and contrast resolution allows a perfect delineation of the pancreas in its retroperitoneal home. The organ typically presents itself with a length between 12 and 15 cm and a diameter at the head area of ~2.5 cm, at the body of ~2 cm, and at the tip of the pancreatic tail of ~1.5 cm. Anatomically, the pancreatic head is defined as the area to the right of the left border of the superior mesenteric vein, the body as the area between the left border of the superior mesenteric vein and the left border of the aorta, and the tail as the area between the left border of the aorta and the hilum of the spleen. The normal pancreatic duct ranges between 1.5 mm at the tail and 3 mm at the head. Usually (~60% of cases), the pancreatic main duct (duct of Wirsung), the duct of Santorini, and the common bile duct join together within the pancreatic head, entering the duodenum via the papilla of Vater. Several conditions that affect function and integrity of the pancreas, such as developmental anomalies and neoplastic and inflammatory diseases, are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Klinikum Bogenhausen, Academic Teaching Hospital, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Thomas K. Helmberger

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Riccardo Manfredi

Authors
  1. Thomas K. Helmberger
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  2. Riccardo Manfredi
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    J. Hodler

  2. Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    G. K. von Schulthess

  3. Radiology, Kantonsspital, Baden, Switzerland

    R. A. Kubik-Huch

  4. Kilchberg/Zurich, Switzerland

    Ch. L. Zollikofer

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Helmberger, T.K., Manfredi, R. (2014). Diseases of the Pancreas. In: Hodler, J., von Schulthess, G.K., Kubik-Huch, R.A., Zollikofer, C.L. (eds) Diseases of the Abdomen and Pelvis 2014–2017. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5659-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5659-6_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-5658-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-5659-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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