Localization of the head of the pancreas using the junction of the left renal vein and the inferior vena cava.
The junction of the left renal vein with the inferior vena cava is visualized on most computed tomography studies of the abdomen. This junction is a useful guide in localizing the pancreatic head, just as the superior mesenteric artery is used to localize the body of the pancreas.
D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*