Pancreas(including Pancreatic Islets)

By

Shehryar Ahmed

Location● The pancreas sits across the back

of the abdomen and behind the stomach. The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen and is connected to the duodenum through a small tube called the pancreatic duct.

● The Pancreatic Islets, also called the Islets of Langerhans, are irregularly shaped patches of endocrine tissue located within the pancreas.

Hormone production● The hormones secreted by the endocrine

gland in the pancreas are insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin.

Hormone function

● Insulin and glucagon regulate the level of glucose in the blood.

● Somatostatin prevents the release of insulin and glucagon.

Effect of hormones on body● Insulin – is secreted by the

cells of pancreas in response to high blood pressure

● Glucagon - is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas when blood glucose is low.

● Somatostatin - Decrease rate of gastric emptying, and reduces smooth muscle contractions and blood flow within the intestine.

If the Pancreas doesn't function properly

● When the pancreas is not functioning properly or under stress, it can cause difficulty when maintaining normal levels of insulin.

● Since the pancreas also secretes digestive enzymes, a defect in the enzymes can also lead to indigestion.

Diseases● Cystic fibrosis - often affects the pancreas and

digestive system because mucus in these areas becomes thick and sticky. If this occurs, the mucus blocks normal digestive function as well as harbors infection.

● Pancreatic cancer – Rather than developing normally, cells in the pancreas continuously divide. Soon these tumors begin to interfere with the functions of the pancreas

Bibliography● http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/pictur

e-of-the-pancreas● http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/3296

70/islets-of-Langerhans● http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/pancreati

c-cancer/● http://www.wyssyr.com/blog/tag/what-happens-if-

the-pancreas-do-not-function-properly/