What is the pancreas?
The pancreas is a gland that takes the shape of an elongated cone and is a part of the digestive system. It is involved in endocrine secretion (a process that entails secretion of products, hormones, directly into the bloodstream), as well as exocrine secretion (a process in which products are placed in a natural cavity in the body or released outside). Almost horizontally positioned, the pancreas is located in the upper abdomen, and transversely behind the stomach, at the level of the first two lumbar vertebrae.
The pancreas is a gland responsible for the secretion of endocrine and exocrine. It is about 15 centimeters long and weights between 70 and 80 grams. It consists of four shares: head, neck, body and tail. The head, which represents the initial and more voluminous portion, is surrounded by the duodenal loop and has an extension in the shape of hook (known as small pancreas). The neck of the pancreas, identifiable because of its narrow and thin head, puts the body in connection with the head of the pancreas. The body of the pancreas is recognized most often by being a part of the neck and measuring at 6.8 centimeters. Finally, the tail, which is the final and thinner portion of the pancreas, is in direct contact with the spleen.
The pancreas has two main ducts: the main pancreatic duct (Wirsung) and the accessory pancreatic duct (Santorini). The accessory pancreatic duct drains into the duodenum via the minor duodenal papilla, while the main pancreatic duct drains into the duodenum via the major duodenal papilla. Their main task is to transport the pancreatic juice, or a liquid formed by a set of enzymes (lipase, amylase, etc.), which are essential for digestion, from the pancreas to the intestine.
Inside the pancreas, pancreatic islets are scattered about. Pancreatic islets are endocrine structures responsible for the production and secretion of various hormones (such as insulin and glucagon) and play a fundamental role in contributing to the control of glucose levels in the blood.
What function does the pancreas serve?
The pancreas has two primary functions: exocrine secretion and endocrine secretion. Exocrine secretion is indispensable for the digestive process of food and essential for the functioning of the digestive system; while the endocrine secretion is greatly involved in the functioning of the endocrine system.
The exocrine secretion, essential for the digestive process of food consumed, is carried out by small structures known as glandular acini, which are secreted into the intestine and pour through the Wirsung duct.The final product in the exocrine secretion is the pancreatic juice, which is a liquid that is formed by a set of enzymes (lipase, amylase, etc.) essential for digestion.
The endocrine secretion is performed by endocrine cells grouped in the islets of Langerhans. Endocrine cells are divided into alpha cells, beta cells and delta cells. The alpha cells are involved in secreting glucagon (the hyperglycaemic hormone); the beta cells are involved in secreting insulin (the hypoglycemic hormone); and finally, the delta cells are involved in secreting the hormone somatostatin, though which the activity of the alpha and beta cells can be monitored.
