American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test

The splenic vein is located posterior to both the body and tail of the pancreas. This anatomical relationship is crucial for understanding pancreatic blood supply and the potential complications that can arise in surgical procedures or in conditions affecting the spleen or pancreas.

The splenic vein runs alongside the splenic artery, which is also posterior to the body and tail of the pancreas. This positioning plays an important role in surgical anatomy, particularly when addressing issues such as pancreatic tumors that may lead to vascular encroachment. Understanding this relationship helps clinicians delineate the structures surrounding the pancreas and anticipate anatomical variations that can occur among patients.

Given this knowledge, recognizing that the splenic vein is posterior allows for a clearer picture of pancreatic anatomy and vascular relationships, which is essential for both diagnosis and treatment in pathology and related fields.