Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Pancreas01:19

Pancreas

The pancreas, an essential organ in the human body, is a pinkish-gray elongated structure located posterior to the stomach. It extends laterally from the duodenum towards the spleen and is firmly bound to the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity. The organ's surface has a lumpy, lobular texture that gives it a unique appearance.
The broad head of the pancreas lies within the loop formed by the duodenum, while its slender body reaches towards the spleen. The tail of the pancreas is short and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

In Memoriam: Eugene P. DiMagno, MD.

Gastroenterology·2026
Same author

In Memoriam: Eugene P. DiMagno, MD.

Gastroenterology·2026
Same author

Home-based Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation (TEA) for the Treatment of Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Feasibility Trial.

Pancreas·2026
Same author

Spatial Analysis of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms Defines a Paradoxical Keratin 17-Positive, Low-Grade Epithelial Population Harboring Malignant Features.

Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology·2026
Same author

Histologic Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions with Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine Needle Biopsy and Impact on Management Decisions.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2025
Same author

Spatial analysis of IPMNs defines a paradoxical KRT17-positive, low-grade epithelial population harboring malignant features.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same journal

Management of Common Bile Duct Stones: Current Approaches and Evolving Endoscopic Strategies.

Current gastroenterology reports·2026
Same journal

Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome Revisited: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

Current gastroenterology reports·2026
Same journal

The Microbiome and Esophageal Disease: Where Are We Now?

Current gastroenterology reports·2026
Same journal

Fermented Durian Tempoyak as a Source of Probiotics for Colorectal Cancer Prevention through Gut Microbiome Modulation.

Current gastroenterology reports·2026
Same journal

A Practical Guide to Incorporating Novel Barrett's Screening/Surveillance Tools into Clinical Practice.

Current gastroenterology reports·2026
Same journal

The Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in the Diagnosis and Management of Congenital Gastrointestinal and Pancreaticobiliary Conditions.

Current gastroenterology reports·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Laparoscopic Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection via Inferior Infracolic Approach: A Surgical Approach for Benign Lesions
03:34

Laparoscopic Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection via Inferior Infracolic Approach: A Surgical Approach for Benign Lesions

Published on: February 9, 2024

Pancreas divisum.

Matthew J DiMagno1, Erik-Jan Wamsteker

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Room 6520 MSRB I, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0682, USA. mdimagno@umich.edu

Current Gastroenterology Reports
|January 12, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Pancreas divisum (PD) is common and linked to idiopathic pancreatitis (IP). While surgery shows unproven benefits for IP with PD, genetic factors like CFTR/SPINK1 mutations are independently associated with IP.

More Related Videos

Laparoscopic Pancreatoduodenectomy With Modified Blumgart Pancreaticojejunostomy
08:57

Laparoscopic Pancreatoduodenectomy With Modified Blumgart Pancreaticojejunostomy

Published on: June 17, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Laparoscopic Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection via Inferior Infracolic Approach: A Surgical Approach for Benign Lesions
03:34

Laparoscopic Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection via Inferior Infracolic Approach: A Surgical Approach for Benign Lesions

Published on: February 9, 2024

Laparoscopic Pancreatoduodenectomy With Modified Blumgart Pancreaticojejunostomy
08:57

Laparoscopic Pancreatoduodenectomy With Modified Blumgart Pancreaticojejunostomy

Published on: June 17, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pancreas divisum (PD) is a common congenital anomaly with consistent prevalence in general and idiopathic pancreatitis (IP) populations.
  • Up to 53% of patients with PD and IP have underlying idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (CP).
  • Many cases of idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis (IRAP) are reclassified as idiopathic CP in long-term follow-up studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent clinical observations regarding pancreas divisum (PD) since 2007.
  • To assess the association of PD with idiopathic pancreatitis (IP), chronic pancreatitis (CP), and idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis (IRAP).
  • To evaluate the impact of PD on the natural history of CP and the efficacy of interventions for PD-associated IP.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical observations and studies on pancreas divisum (PD) published since 2007.
  • Analysis of the prevalence of PD in general, IP, CP, and IRAP populations.
  • Examination of retrospective and prospective studies on the natural history of CP in patients with and without PD.
  • Review of studies investigating the association of genetic mutations (CFTR, SPINK1) with IP and PD.
  • Assessment of placebo response rates and the reported efficacy of surgical and endoscopic therapies for PD-associated IP.

Main Results:

  • PD has the same prevalence in the general population and patients with IP.
  • PD does not appear to alter the natural course of alcoholic or nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis (CP) based on retrospective data.
  • CFTR and/or SPINK1 gene mutations are associated with IP independently of PD.
  • A significant placebo response (over 33%) is observed in patients with pancreatitis or presumed pancreaticobiliary pain.
  • Symptomatic improvement following surgery or endotherapy in IP with PD is largely unproven and primarily observed in IRAP, not in idiopathic CP or chronic pain.

Conclusions:

  • Pancreas divisum (PD) is a common finding in patients with idiopathic pancreatitis (IP), but its role in the natural history of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is questionable.
  • Genetic factors, such as CFTR and SPINK1 mutations, are more strongly associated with IP than PD itself.
  • Current evidence suggests that interventions like surgery and endotherapy for PD-associated IP, particularly in cases of chronic pancreatitis or chronic pain, lack robust proof of efficacy and are mainly beneficial in select cases of idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis (IRAP).