The size of the pancreas is normal in adults and children
In humans, the pancreas refers to the major organs, and it is located on the back wall of the abdominal cavity behind the stomach.
Iron is divided into three parts:
- The head, which is the main part.
- The body is separated from the head by a thick furrow and resembles a prism.
- The third component is the tail.
Location
In a normal adult human head is positioned at the level of the first lumbar vertebra, in infants it is located above, between about 10 -11 thoracic vertebra. The tail and body are located at the level of 11 - 12 ribs to the left. In length, the organ reaches from 15 to 20 cm, it can reach 24 cm, but this is a rarity.
pancreatic dimensions normally ranging from 2 to 3 cm in width, and in the head region, this figure rises to 7 to 8 cm.
By weight body is approximately 100 grams, in newborns weight is only a few grams( From 2 to 3).The surface of the organ is grayish pink.
The head is turned towards the duodenum and is attached to its loop. The stomach is located in front of the body, in connection with this the organ received its name, the tail rests against the spleen.
The gland consists of acini( structural unit), and also the ducts through which the body removes enzymes. The cells of the healthy gland produce digestive enzymes that enter the lumen of the intestine, as well as hormones entering the blood.
Microscopic structure
The microscopic structure of the gland is unique, it consists of lobules, between which there are jumper connective tissues, blood vessels. There are also islands that are called Langenggasses, it is these cells that produce the insulin needed so much for man, as well as glucagon. It is these hormones that control the normal level of sugar in the human body. Due to insulin, the glucose level is lowered, but due to glucagon, on the contrary, it rises. In the iron tail is the place where the islets are located.
There is a duct throughout the gland, into which smaller ones enter. The main duct in the lumen of the duodenum ends with the papilla.
see and measure
Despite the fact that the pancreas is a large organ in comparison with the others, to probe it in person is not possible. In order to diagnose the pathology of the gland, methods of computer research, as well as computer tomography( CT), magnetic resonance imaging( MRI) or ultrasound( ultrasound) are used.
With the help of these techniques it is possible to estimate the size of the pancreas. The most commonly used ultrasound, it allows you to assess the size, condition of the tissue. The method is absolutely safe and can be used not only in adults, but also in children. The essence of the technique is that the sensor of the device receives waves reflected from the dense body. The result appears on the screen, and the doctor is able to assess not only the size of the pancreas, but also the consistency and individual areas, the system of blood vessels and ducts. In the presence of abnormalities, it is possible to take a snapshot that will allow you to compare the changes.
Even in case of an increase in the gland by half a centimeter, it is necessary to think about whether everything is all right with her and consult a specialist.
What affects the size?
The size of the body can be affected by many diseases and additional tests are used to clarify the pathology of the pancreas. The most common cause is pancreatitis, which can be in both adults and children. With this disease on ultrasound, the specialist sees that the gland is enlarged in all departments, due to the edema of the tissue, the duct system also expands.
Provided transition inflammation in step severe complications are manifested form cysts and pancreatic necrosis, besides that its size is increased by the ultrasound portions rarefaction density and abdominal organ formation.
In the case of the formation of abscesses( cavities filled with necrosis) pancreatic, in the study of the body its dimensions are increased, and the structure of the tissue changes. The doctor clearly sees the formation with clear and even outlines and there is a fluid level in it that varies depending on the change in the position of the body. The reasons that the pancreas has cysts are diverse, but the end result will still be an abscess.
If there is a suspicion of cancer, especially malignant, the head, body, and also the tail of the organ changes. Not only the size and shape are disturbed. In children this pathology does not occur, but there are birth defects.
The remaining methods also allow you to estimate the size of both the healthy and the altered glands. Often in its ducts can be stones, their formation is least affected by the tail, the ducts in this place are the narrowest. In newborn children, iron, like the spleen, are enlarged. With the pathology of the spleen in a man, it is difficult to investigate the tail of the gland.
