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pancreas[panŽkrEus]
- The Greek name "pancreas", meaning
"all flesh" or "all meat", is
descriptive of the protein composition of this powerful
organ which resembles a fish with a large head and a long
tail. In actuality, the pancreas is an elongated, tapered organ located across the back of
the abdomen, behind the stomach. This glandular
organ secretes digestive enzymes and hormones. In humans,
the pancreas is a yellowish organ about 7 in. (17.8 cm) long
and 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) wide.
The
right side of the organ (called the head) is the widest part
of the organ and lies in the curve of the duodenum, the
first part of the small intestine. The tapered left side
extends slightly upward (called the body of the pancreas)
and ends near the
spleen (called the tail).
Inside, the
organ's appearance resembles a stalk with clusters of grapes
attached to it. The "stalk" is a long duct which
runs down the center of the pancreas and the
"grapes" are clusters of cells which flow into
this duct and later into the duodenum for digestion of
proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
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There
are 5 parts to the pancreas.
uncinate process
- The part of the
gland that bends backwards and underneath the body of the
pancreas. Two very important blood vessels, the superior
mesenteric artery and vein cross in front of the uncinate
process.
head- The
widest part of the gland. It is found in the right part of
abdomen, nestled in the curve of the duodenum which forms an
impression in the side of the gland.
neck-
The thin section
between the head and the body of the gland.
body-
The middle part of
gland between the neck and the tail. The superior mesenteric
blood vessels run behind this part of the gland.
tail
- The thin tip of
gland in the left part of abdomen in close proximity with
the spleen.
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PURPOSE
OF THE PANCREAS
The
pancreas has digestive and hormonal functions and is made up
of two types of tissue:
Exocrine Tissue
The exocrine tissue consist of Acinar cells
and pancreatic ducts.
These are the
exocrine (exo= outward) cells of the pancreas that produce
and transport chemicals that will exit the body through the
digestive system. The chemicals that the exocrine cells
produce are called enzymes. They are proteins secreted in
the duodenum where they assist in the digestion of food.
Endocrine
Tissue
The endocrine tissue consists of cells clusters known as
islets of Langerhans. These
endocrine (endo= within) cells of the pancreas produce and
secrete hormones into the bloodstream. The main pancreatic
hormones, insulin and glucagon, work together to maintain
the proper level of sugar in the blood. The sugar, glucose,
is used by the body for energy.
Failure of the insulin-secreting cells to function
properly results in diabetes, which can occur in two major
forms, juvenile onset (Type 1) and adult onset (Type
II).
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lori.hagerty@ucphysicians.com