Blood Vessels of the Duodenum, Pancreas, and Spleen, Posterior View

Description

Oriented in a posterior abdominal view, the spleen lies in the left upper quadrant with the tail of the pancreas extending laterally to the splenic hilum, while the head of the pancreas nestles against the C shaped duodenum on the right. Along the posterior surface of the pancreatic body, the splenic vein courses horizontally and deep, collecting pancreatic tributaries before joining the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein. Arterial supply is suggested by branching vessels along the superior border of the pancreas consistent with the splenic artery and its pancreatic branches, with the gastroduodenal artery and the anterior and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal arcades expected near the duodenal sweep. Relationships are the point. Posterior anatomy here matters because it mirrors what you encounter in retroperitoneal dissection, cross sectional imaging, and operative exposure of the pancreatic neck and body. The splenic vein’s position behind the pancreas explains why pancreatic adenocarcinoma or chronic pancreatitis can produce splenic vein thrombosis and left sided portal hypertension, with isolated gastric varices as a classic downstream finding. It also frames the vascular risk during distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, where control of splenic vessels at or near the hilum must account for short segment pancreatic branches and venous adherence to inflamed tissue planes. Use this artwork for teaching the foregut and midgut transition in gross anatomy, correlating portal venous formation in radiology modules (CT and MR in axial and coronal planes), or illustrating surgical texts on pancreatic resections, splenic hilar dissection, and management of gastric variceal bleeding from splenic vein occlusion. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.