The pancreas occupies a retroperitoneal position in the upper abdomen. Which statement(s) is/are correct?

A. The superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein join to form the portal vein posterior to the neck of the pancreas.

C. The tail of the pancreas extends to the left of the aorta, toward the splenic hilum.

D. The head of the pancreas is jointly supplied by arterial blood from the celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery

DISCUSSION: The pancreas occupies a retroperitoneal position in the upper abdomen, extending obliquely from the duodenal C loop to a more cephalad position where the pancreatic tail abuts the hilum of the spleen. The portion of the pancreas anterior to the confluence of the superior mesenteric vein, splenic vein, and portal vein is designated the neck of the gland. The uncinate process extends posterior to the superior mesenteric vein and approaches the superior mesenteric artery. The head of the pancreas is intimately associated with the second portion of the duodenum, and these two structures are jointly supplied by two arterial arcades known as the anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, which originate as branches of the celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery.