Anterior Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Running Between the Dorsal and Ventral Pancreas: Morphological and Embryological Viewpoint

Abstract

Objective: To elucidate the configurational relationship of the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (AIPD) and embryological ventral/dorsal pancreas anlagen. Methods: 64 cadavers were used for morphological observation by gross dissection of the head and uncinate process of the pancreas as well as its vessels. The localization of pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive cells was investigated in 22 cadaveric pancreas samples. Results: In 73.4% subjects, the AIPD appeared not on the anterior surface of the anterior inferior portion of the pancreatic head, but was covered by pancreatic parenchyme. The islets of Langerhans were irregular in shape, and abundant pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive cells were identified in the pancreatic tissues of the posterior region of the AIPD, while in the anterior region of the AIPD, the islets of Langerhans were rounded, and few or no pancreatic polypeptide- immunoreactive cells were identified. Conclusions: The AIPD may follow the boundary between the dorsal and ventral pancreas, and we can interpret in embryology of the morphological characteristics by which the AIPD is located behind or on the anterior surface of the anterior inferior portion of the pancreatic head.