Satheesha Badagabettu Nayak, Naveen Kumar, Ashwini Aithal Padur, Srinivasa Rao Sirasanagandla, Surekha Devadasa Shetty
Background Pancreas is a soft lobulated gland situated close to the posterior abdominal wall. Variations in the morphology of pancreas especially those involving the uncinate process are rarely reported. Methods The current study was conducted in the department of Anatomy on an unusually large uncinate process of pancreas which was found encircling the superior mesenteric artery found in an adult male cadaver. We performed the histology study of this tissue to confirm whether it is a part of pancreatic parenchyma or a tumor. Results The microscopic study of the H&E stained sections showed the presence of the exocrine and endocrine part of the pancreas which confirmed that the tissue found encircling the superior mesenteric artery was a normal pancreatic tissue and a part of the uncinate process. Conclusion Basic anatomical knowledge regarding the pancreas and its variations is essential in treating any diseases of the pancreas and surrounding viscera. It is important for surgeons to acquaint with the anatomical relations of the uncinate process especially its relation with the superior mesenteric vessels to avoid any unwanted iatrogenic complications. Hence prior knowledge regarding its variation is essential to identify these entities, differentiate them from pathologic conditions and for successful accomplishment of surgical, oncologic or interventional procedures.
