The lienorenal ligament and the tail of the pancreas: a surgical anatomical study.

Only brief descriptions of the lienorenal ligament and the anatomical relationship between the tail of the pancreas and the hilus of the spleen have been reported in the literature. The anatomical variations in this region are of significant surgical importance. The lienorenal ligament was studied in 37 anatomical specimens. A classification of its variations is presented, and clinical-surgical applications are discussed.