Although the largest pancreatic artery
which supplies nutrient to the main pancreatic duct is now referred
to as the great (or greater) pancreatic artery, this structure
has historically been known as the arteria pancreatica
magna. In discussing this artery, Henry Gray in his first English
edition of ANATOMY -- The Anatomic Basis of Medicine and Surgery
(J.W. Parker and Son, London, 1858) reports, "One of these,
larger than the rest, is given off from the splenic (artery)
near the left extremity of the pancreas; it runs from left to
right near the posterior surface of the gland, following the
course of the pancreatic duct, and is called the pancreatica
magna."
In the Latin language, pancreatica is the
feminine for the English word: pancreatic. (And pancreatico is
the masculine for the English word: pancreatic). Pancreatica
has the same Latin meaning and gender-divisions in the modern
day languages of Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
We appreciate the sound and metre of the
word, and enjoy its resonance and symbolism. It is our hope that
this website will act as a vessel for the delivery of accurate
and timely information to those in need.
the arteria pancreatica
magna. In discussing this artery, Henry Gray in his first English
edition of ANATOMY -- The Anatomic Basis of Medicine and Surgery
(J.W. Parker and Son, London, 1858) reports, "One of these,
larger than the rest, is given off from the splenic (artery)
near the left extremity of the pancreas; it runs from left to
right near the posterior surface of the gland, following the
course of the pancreatic duct, and is called the pancreatica
magna."