342 



DISSECTION OF THE ABDOMEN. 



Trace out 

 the duct. 



It is a 



compound 



gland, 



without a 



distinct 



capsule. 



the pylorus, and there they are visible without a lens, being nearly 

 as large as hemp-seed and appear lost after removal of the muscular 

 coat. 



Dissection. The pancreas should now be placed on its anterior 

 surface, and the excretory duct traced from the head to the tail by 

 cutting away the substance of the gland. The duct will be recognised 

 by its whiteness. 



STRUCTURE. The pancreas resembles the parotid gland in struc- 

 ture, consisting of separate lobules, each of which is provided with a 

 special duct. It is destitute of a distinct capsule ; but it is surrounded 

 by areolar tissue, which projects into the interior, and connects 

 together its smaller pieces. The lobules are soft and loose, and of a 



FIG. 128. A SMALL PIECE OF THE DUODENUM OPENED, WITH A PART OP 

 THE PANCREAS, SHOWING THE TERMINATION OP THE BILE AND 

 PANCREATIC DUCTS (HENLE). 



a. Duodenum. 



b. Pancreas. 



c. Common bile-duct. 



d. Pancreatic duct. 



e. Common opening of the ducts 



in the intestine. 



the gland 

 extent ; 



branches ; 



greyish white colour, and are united into larger masses by areolar 

 tissue, vessels, and ducts. 



The duct of The duct of the pancreas (canal of Wirsung ; fig. 128, d) extends 

 the whole length of the gland, and is somewhat nearer the lower 

 than the upper border. It begins in the tail of the pancreas, where 

 it presents a bifurcated extremity ; and as it continues onwards to 

 the head, it receives many branches. It is readily recognised from 

 its whiteness on dividing the gland longitudinally. Of the tributary 

 branches, the largest is derived from the lower part of the head of 

 the pancreas. 



An accessory duct is often found a short distance above the 

 main one. 



The duct measures from ^th to '^th of an inch in diameter near 

 the duodenum. It is formed of a fibrous coat with a very smooth 

 mucous lining. 



size and 

 structure. 



