[The topography of the pancreas of Monodelphis domestica (Marsupialia)].

Shape and position of the pancreas of Monodelphis domestica are described in situ after fixation of the animals with Bouin's fluid. The right lobe of the pancreas is the smallest of the three organ parts. The body of the pancreas is placed in a transverse position in the cranial area of the peritoneal cavity. Ventral access to it is relatively difficult due to the position of the greater parts of the body dorsal to the stomach. In contrast, the left lobe reaches far caudad. Typical for Monodelphis domestica, it extends into the omental veil, offering the possibility of a relatively easy surgical access to pancreas parenchyma in this species. The data are discussed in view of reports about other small laboratory animals. Some remarks are made as a proposal for the procedure of laparotomy.