Question

Tumour of the uncinate process of the pancreas will compress which artery

• A. Portal vein
• B. Superior mesenteric artery
• C. Inferior mesenteric artery
• D. Common hepatic artery

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Spatial-relations angle. The uncinate process is the part of the pancreatic head that curls to the left and projects behind the great mesenteric vessels. The defining anatomical fact is the sandwich: the superior mesenteric artery and vein pass in front of the uncinate process, while the aorta lies behind it. So any mass swelling out of the uncinate has the SMA draped directly over its front surface and is the first thing it compresses or encases. This is exactly why pancreatic head and uncinate cancers are judged unresectable when imaging shows SMA encasement. The other choices sit elsewhere: the portal vein forms behind the neck of the pancreas higher up, the common hepatic artery runs along the upper border toward the liver, and the inferior mesenteric artery is well below and to the left. Therefore the compressed artery is the superior mesenteric artery. Reference: BDC, 7e, Vol 2, p 328.