Pancreas

Anatomy of Pancreas:

• The pancreas is a glandular organ located behind the stomach and near the duodenum.
• It is elongated and has a head, body, and tail. It is composed of two types of tissue: exocrine and endocrine.
• Exocrine tissue makes up the majority of the pancreas and consists of small, grape-like clusters called acini.
• The endocrine tissue is found in small clusters called islets of Langerhans.

Functions:

The pancreas has both endocrine and exocrine functions.

1. Endocrine function:

• The islets of Langerhans produce hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels in the body.

2. Exocrine function:

• The acini secrete digestive enzymes, and an alkaline fluid called pancreatic juice.
• These enzymes include proteases for protein digestion, amylases for carbohydrate digestion, and lipases for fat digestion.
• The alkaline fluid neutralizes the acidic chyme from the stomach, creating a suitable environment for the enzymes to function effectively in the duodenum.

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