ABDOMINAL CAVITY 501 



and to some extent also upon the aorta, whilst its anterior 

 surface is crossed by the transverse colon. As a rule its 

 margins tend to overflow the duodenal boundary : in other 

 words, its marginal lobules show a tendency to wander over 

 the anterior surface of the second and third parts of the 

 duodenum so as to overlap the gut in the vicinity of its con- 

 cavity. Certain other relations may be noticed in connec- 

 tion with the head of the pancreas, viz. : (i) the common 

 bile-duct passes down behind it in close relation to the 

 second part of the duodenum; (2) the pyloric part of the 

 stomach lies in front of it, above the transverse colon ; (3) its 

 lower part, the processus uncinatus, is prolonged to the left, 

 along the upper border of the third part of the duodenum, 

 behind the superior mesenteric vessels, and then upwards 

 behind the neck ; (4) the vena portae is formed in front of the 

 upturned part of the processus uncinatus and behind the neck. 



The neck of the pancreas (Symington) is a narrow, constricted 

 portion of gland- substance which springs from the anterior 

 aspect of the head, nearer its upper than its lower margin. 

 It constitutes the link of connection between the head and 

 the body of the pancreas, and as it proceeds to the left and 

 forwards, it lies in front of the commencement of the vena 

 portae and of the termination of the superior mesenteric vein. 

 These vessels intervene between the neck and the front 

 surface of the upper part of the processus uncinatus. The 

 anterior part of the anterior surface of the neck is covered 

 by the layer of peritoneum which forms the posterior wall 

 of the omental bursa. It is usually somewhat depressed by 

 the pyloric end of the stomach, which rests upon it, and the 

 posterior part is separated from the first part of the duodenum 

 by the gastro-duodenal artery. 



The body of the pancreas extends from the anterior and left 

 extremity of the neck backwards and to the left, across the 

 lower part of the left suprarenal body, and the front of the 

 left kidney to the short tail, which lies in relation with the 

 spleen. It presents anterior, inferior, and posterior surfaces 

 which are separated from each other by superior, anterior, and 

 inferior borders. The anterior surface looks upwards and 

 forwards, and is covered by the peritoneum of the posterior 

 wall of the omental bursa. This surface of the pancreas, 

 in the greater part of its extent, supports the postero-inferior 

 surface of the stomach, and is hollowed for its reception. 



