The pancreas grows between the layers of which anatomical structure during development?

The pancreas grows between the layers of which anatomical structure during development?

• A. Stomach wall
• B. Mesentery
• C. Liver
• D. Omentum

Answer: (B)

The developing pancreas forms in the foregut, with two pancreatic buds arising—the dorsal bud and the ventral bud. The dorsal bud sits in the dorsal mesentery, the double layer of peritoneum that suspends the gut, so the pancreas grows between the two layers of this mesentery. Later, the ventral bud migrates around the duodenum and fuses with the dorsal bud to form the pancreas. This embryologic niche in the dorsal mesentery is why the pancreas is described as growing between mesenteric layers. While the stomach, liver, and omentum are all tied to foregut development, the specific site of pancreatic growth is the dorsal mesentery.

The developing pancreas forms in the foregut, with two pancreatic buds arising—the dorsal bud and the ventral bud. The dorsal bud sits in the dorsal mesentery, the double layer of peritoneum that suspends the gut, so the pancreas grows between the two layers of this mesentery. Later, the ventral bud migrates around the duodenum and fuses with the dorsal bud to form the pancreas. This embryologic niche in the dorsal mesentery is why the pancreas is described as growing between mesenteric layers. While the stomach, liver, and omentum are all tied to foregut development, the specific site of pancreatic growth is the dorsal mesentery.