Variant human pancreas: aberrant uncinate process or an extended mesenteric process.

Variations in the morphology of pancreas are not very common. We observed a rare variant of the uncinate process of the pancreas that extended in the mesentery of the small intestine. After its origin from the lower part of the head of the pancreas, the mesenteric process (MP) passed over the third part of the duodenum to enter the mesentery of the jejunum and ileum and extended up to the level of the pelvic brim. The branches of the superior mesenteric vessels were embedded in the extended MP of the pancreas. This aberrant extension of the pancreas was drained by a narrow duct, which joined the main pancreatic duct inside the head. We did not observe a separate uncinate process arising from the head. On histology normal acini and endocrine cells were observed in the extension. This variant is important as symptoms of pancreatic disease from such extensions may be confused with other commonly encountered acute or chronic abdominal conditions.