Hypoechogenic embryologic ventral aspect of the head and uncinate process of the pancreas: in vitro correlation of US with histopathologic findings.

Abstract

Hypoechogenicity of the embryologic ventral aspect of the head of the pancreas is due to diminished fat content. This difference in attenuation is also commonly seen on CT scans.

Adenocarcinoma of the uncinate process of the pancreas: MDCT patterns of local invasion and clinical features at presentation

“…At 6 weeks of gestation the ventral bud undergoes a 270°r otation to lie posteriorly to the dorsal bud before ultimately fusing with the dorsal bud [18]. Although there are no precise anatomic landmarks delineating it from the head of the pancreas, the uncinate process is comprised of a wedgeshaped tongue of pancreatic tissue lying directly posterior to the SMA and SMV (Fig.…”

Comparison of the long-term outcomes of uncinate process cancer and non-uncinate process pancreas head cancer: poor prognosis accompanied by early locoregional recurrence

“…The uncinate process was defined as the dorsal portion of the pancreatic head located left to the line linking the SMV and the right border of the inferior vena cava (IVC) [9,10]. Tumor locations were classified as at the uncinate process or non-uncinate process cancer of the pancreatic head, based on computed tomography (CT) findings.…”

Sonographic appearance of focal fatty infiltration of the pancreas

“…4 The posterior portion of the head and uncinate process of the pancreas are usually spared from fatty infiltration. 8 Although the reason for the difference in the location of fatty infiltration is unclear, the embryologic ventral pancreas that becomes the posterior aspect of the head and uncinate process has smaller, densely packed acini, smaller exocrine cells, scanty or absent interacinar fat, and more interlobular fibrous tissue than is found in the embryological dorsal pancreas. 8,9 In general, fatty infiltration of the pancreas has been hyperechoic on sonograms.…”