Gross Morphology of the Pancreas and Distribution of Pancreatic Ducts in the Rat

Abstract

Gross morphology of the pancreas and distribution of pancreatic ducts were investigated in 12 Jcl: Wistar rats. The pancreas consisted of a body and two (right and left) lobes. The pancreatic body was located along the cranial part of the duodenum. The right lobe extended into the duodenal ligament, while the left lobe extended toward the spleen into the gastrolienal ligament. In 9 animals, the number of ducts ranged between 3 and 10. Each duct joined the hepatoenteric duct. Two (right and left) large ducts found in all animals drained the right and left lobes. Other ducts observed in more than a half of the animals drained either the body or a part of the lobe.