With a detailed study of the pancreas, its three main parts are distinguished: the head, smoothly turning into the body, and the tail, which is much narrower than the main part. The tail of the pancreas( lat.cauda pancreatis) rises a little upward and almost densely to approach the spleen. It has a curved pear-shaped form. The optimal width of this part of the prostate is 20-30 mm in a healthy adult. In the region of the tail there is a duct of the pancreas - excretory. It has a length of about 15 cm and extends further into the body and head.
Among the pathologies of the tail of this gland most often occurs its densification or enlargement. These changes lead to a violation of patency of the splenic vein. Also against this background may develop portal hypertension of the adrenal form.
The formation and treatment of the pancreatic tail
Pancreatic tail formations are much less common than other parts of this organ. Doctors say that this is only about a fourth of the total diseases of the pancreas. However, many tumors are malignant and very difficult to treat, because they are detected late, reaching significant sizes at the time of detection. The pancreas tail is most often studied through the left kidney or spleen.
Signs of cancer in this area are very typical for patients with oncology and yet have a number of their characteristics. Dull pain gives very much to the epigastric region. When the patient sits down and leans slightly forward, the pain attacks decrease, albeit for a little while.
Treatment of tail formations is almost impossible. Usually patients need surgery. It passes through a very complex technique called Distal Partial Pancreatomy. It is desirable to conduct it only in a good specialized medical center, because sometimes there are all kinds of complications that require rapid response of professional doctors and use of special medical equipment. In the process of this operation, only the tail of the prostate is removed after all the blood vessels that feed this gland are blocked. Sometimes the organs that are located are also operated. If the spleen or closely located vessels is affected, the surgeon immediately removes them. All affected organs that have been removed must necessarily be sent for histological examination in order to correctly and optimally designate further treatment for the patient.
Where is the tail of the pancreas projected?
The pancreas is located deep enough in the abdominal cavity. It is tightly sandwiched between the internal organs. Due to its anatomical features, its front closes the stomach, the lower part of the duodenum, and behind it the spine column and powerful back muscles. This explains the rarity of injuries and bruises of this organ.
The tail of the prostate is projected onto the anterior lateral abdominal wall and falls on the region of the left hypochondrium approximately in the middle of the navel segment - the xiphoid process.
You can visualize the projection as follows: through the navel, we hold the vertical and horizontal lines. In the upper corner on the left side is the projection area of the tail of the pancreas. To the left of the white line of the abdomen and above the horizontal line.
Determine the position and can be on the spine. The tail of the pancreas is projected to the left of it at the level of the IX-XII thoracic vertebra. The end of this part, therefore, is located approximately 9 cm to the left of the axis of the spinal column.
Because of the deep bedding and "closure" of other organs, it is difficult to detect its tumors and inflammations in time.