What is the average length of the pancreas?

What is the average length of the pancreas?

• A. 12-18 cm
• B. 6-8 cm
• C. 24-28 cm
• D. 3-6 cm

Answer: (A)

Pancreas length in a healthy adult is about 12–18 cm. The organ runs from the head near the duodenum to the tail near the spleen, so its length reflects its entire course along the upper abdomen. On ultrasound, you measure from head to tail in a longitudinal view, and natural variation with body size or age keeps the range broad. Values well below this range would suggest an abnormally small pancreas, while a length like 24–28 cm would be unusually long for a normal organ. Therefore, the 12–18 cm range best fits typical anatomy.

Pancreas length in a healthy adult is about 12–18 cm. The organ runs from the head near the duodenum to the tail near the spleen, so its length reflects its entire course along the upper abdomen. On ultrasound, you measure from head to tail in a longitudinal view, and natural variation with body size or age keeps the range broad. Values well below this range would suggest an abnormally small pancreas, while a length like 24–28 cm would be unusually long for a normal organ. Therefore, the 12–18 cm range best fits typical anatomy.