Where is the pancreas located? Describe the exocrine andendocrine parts of this gland and the secretions producedby each portion
Where is the pancreas located? Describe the exocrine and
endocrine parts of this gland and the secretions produced
by each portion
The pancreas is a gland organ that functions in both the digestive and endocrine systems. The pancreas, as an endocrine gland, releases many essential hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.
The pancreas, as a digestive organ, secretes pancreatic juice, which includes digestive enzymes that aid in nutrient absorption and digestion in the small intestine. These enzymes aid in the breakdown of the chyme's sugars, proteins, and lipids. The pancreas is made up of pancreatic exocrine cells with ducts arranged in clusters known as acini.
Secretory granules contain inactivated digestive enzymes, mostly trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, pancreatic lipase, and amylase, which are secreted into the acini lumen. The pancreas is found behind the liver, close to the duodenum.
The pancreas' exocrine activity is critical for digestion since it provides many of the enzymes that break down protein, carbohydrates, and fats in digestible foods.
- To stop digestion, the pancreas synthesises the enzymes in the inactive form known as zymogens.
- If the enzymes enter the small intestine, they become active.
- The pancreas also secretes bicarbonate ions from ductal cells to neutralise the acidic chyme produced by the stomach.
- The pancreas' exocrine activity is regulated by the hormones gastrin, cholecystokinin, and secretin, which are secreted by cells in the stomach and duodenum in reaction to food.
- The pancreas produces two main proteases: trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen. This zymogens are trypsin and chymotrypsin inactivated varieties.
- When trypsinogen is released in the intestine, the enzyme enterokinase, which is formed by the intestinal mucosa, cleaves it to form trypsin.
- The remaining trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen are then cleaved to their active forms by free trypsin.
- Pancreatic secretions build up in small ducts that connect to the main pancreatic duct, which flows directly into the duodenum.
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