Tail of pancreas

Infobox Anatomy
Name = Tail of pancreas
Latin = cauda pancreatis
GraySubject = 251
GrayPage = 1201


Caption = 1: Head of pancreas
2: Uncinate process of pancreas
3: Pancreatic notch
4: Body of pancreas
5: Anterior surface of pancreas
6: Inferior surface of pancreas
7: Superior margin of pancreas
8: Anterior margin of pancreas
9: Inferior margin of pancreas
10: Omental tuber
11: Tail of pancreas
12: Duodenum

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Caption2 = The duodenum and pancreas.
System =
MeshName =
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DorlandsPre = c_15
DorlandsSuf = 12219840

The tail of the pancreas, located anatomically left near the hilum of the spleen, is not simply an anatomical distinction. The tail is the only part of the pancreas which contains Pancreatic Polypeptide (PP) cells, which are responsible for secreting pancreatic polypeptide to coordinate exocrine and islet enzyme release. PP cells are found in the tail's periphery. Beta cells (insulin secretory) and delta cells (somatostatin secretory) are found in the central part of the tail as with the rest of the pancreas.

The cells described above are located exclusively in the islet cells; their secretions reach exocrine portions of the pancreas via the capillary network surrounding the islet cell populations.

The tail is the only portion of the pancreas that is not considered retroperitoneal.

External links

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* - "The lesser peritoneal sac."
* - "The Pancreas"
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