ON THE TOPOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE PANCREA S OF THE GRAY SHORT-TAILED OPOSSUM, MONODELPHIS-DOMESTICA (MARSUPIALIA)

Shape and position of the pancreas of Monodelphis domestica are descri bed in situ after fixation of the animals with Bouin's fluid. The righ t lobe of the pancreas is the smallest of the three Organ parts. The b ody of the pancreas is placed in a transverse position in the cranial area of the peritoneal cavity. Ventral access to it is relatively diff icult due to the position of the greater parts of the body dorsal to t he 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 parenchy ma in this species. The data are discussed in view of reports about ot her small laboratory animals. Some remarks are made as a proposal for the procedure of laparotomy.