where is your pancreas located

The pancreas is located in the upper part of the abdomen (tummy), behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It stretches horizontally and is level with where the ribs meet at the front of the body. The pancreas is about six to ten inches long and shaped like a flat pear. Its head is on the right side, nestled in the curve of the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the body extends behind the stomach, and the tail reaches toward the left side near the spleen. Major blood vessels are near the pancreas, including the superior mesenteric artery and vein, and the pancreas is surrounded by other organs such as the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine.