Diagnostic Ultrasound - Abdomen and Pelvis

Pancreas
Anatomy: Abdomen
PANCREAS, SAGITTAL VIEW
Right rectus muscle
Gas within duodenum
Head of pancreas
Inferior vena cava
Right psoas muscle
Air within gastroduodenal region
Left lobe of liver
Neck of pancreas
Superior mesenteric vein
Inferior vena cava
Neck of pancreas
Left lobe of liver
Celiac trunk
Superior mesenteric vein
Superior mesenteric artery
Abdominal aorta
(Top) Longitudinal transabdominal grayscale ultrasound at the epigastrium, right paramedian region, is shown. Note the relationship of
the pancreatic head with the posteriorly located inferior vena cava. (Middle) Longitudinal transabdominal grayscale ultrasound at the
epigastrium, right paramedian region, is shown continuing medially from the previous image. Note the superior mesenteric vein coming
into view; this is a good landmark for locating the neck of the pancreas on the sagittal ultrasound. (Bottom) Longitudinal
transabdominal grayscale ultrasound at the epigastrium, right paramedian region, is shown slightly more medial to the previous image.
The origin of the superior mesenteric artery arising from the abdominal aorta is brought into view. The SMA is also a useful marker for
identifying the neck of the pancreas on sagittal ultrasound.
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