La d A tumor of the uncinate process of the pancreas affects which of the following vessels?

Correct Answer: D. Superior mesenteric artery

The uncinate process is the hook-shaped inferior and medial extension of the pancreatic head that lies posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels. A tumor arising here directly encroaches on the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) as they pass anterior to the uncinate process. The SMA emerges from behind the neck of the pancreas and descends anterior to the uncinate process—making it the most vulnerable vessel to compression or invasion by uncinate tumors. This anatomical relationship is clinically critical in Indian surgical practice: uncinate tumors often present with SMA compression causing mesenteric ischemia or vascular involvement that determines resectability in pancreatic cancer staging. The SMA's intimate relationship with the uncinate process (lying in the angle between the uncinate and the body of the pancreas) makes it the primary vessel at risk, distinguishing uncinate tumors from body/tail tumors that more commonly involve the splenic vessels.

Why the other options are wrong

A. Portal vein — While portal vein involvement can occur in pancreatic head tumors, it is not the primary vessel at risk from uncinate process tumors. The portal vein lies posterior and medial to the uncinate process; uncinate tumors typically affect the anterior SMA/SMV first. Portal vein involvement is more common in tumors of the pancreatic body and neck, not the uncinate process specifically. B. Inferior mesenteric artery — The IMA arises from the abdominal aorta at the level of L3, well below the pancreatic head and uncinate process. It has no direct anatomical relationship with the uncinate process. This option exploits confusion between mesenteric vessels; IMA involvement would only occur in advanced tumors with distant spread, not from uncinate process location alone. C. Common hepatic artery — The common hepatic artery branches from the celiac trunk and runs along the superior border of the pancreatic head (in the hepatoduodenal ligament). While it can be involved in pancreatic head tumors, uncinate process tumors—being inferior and medial—primarily affect the SMA rather than the CHA. CHA involvement is more typical of tumors in the anterior pancreatic head.

High-Yield Facts

Mnemonics

UNCINATE → SMA Uncinate process lies Under/posterior to Superior Mesenteric Artery. The SMA descends anterior to the uncinate hook, making it the first vessel compressed by uncinate tumors. Pancreatic Head Vessels by Location Anterior: SMA/SMV (at uncinate level) → Superior: CHA (hepatoduodenal ligament) → Posterior: Portal vein. Uncinate tumors hit the anterior vessel first = SMA.

NBE Trap

NBE pairs "pancreatic head tumor" with "portal vein" to trap students who memorize that portal vein is involved in pancreatic cancer without considering the specific anatomical location of the uncinate process. The uncinate's anterior and inferior position makes SMA the primary vessel at risk, not the posterior portal vein.

Clinical Pearl

In Indian tertiary centers, uncinate pancreatic tumors presenting with acute mesenteric ischemia or SMA compression on CT angiography are often deemed unresectable, requiring neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgical assessment. This SMA involvement is the key determinant of operability in uncinate tumors.

_Reference: Bailey & Love Ch. 67 (Pancreas); Robbins Ch. 17 (Pancreatic neoplasms)_