Pancreas

Pancreas

An elongated retroperitoneal organ with head, neck, body, and tail regions. The head is nestled in the C-curve of the duodenum. The main pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct at the hepatopancreatic ampulla (of Vater). Islets of Langerhans are scattered endocrine clusters.

Typ Organ
Körpersystem Digestive
Körperregion Abdomen
Übergeordnete Struktur viscus
Lateinischer Name Pancreas
FMA ID 7198

Funktion

A dual-function organ with exocrine function (producing digestive enzymes including lipase, amylase, and trypsin) and endocrine function (producing insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin for blood glucose regulation).

Klinische Bedeutung

Diabetes mellitus results from insufficient insulin production (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2). Acute pancreatitis is commonly caused by gallstones or alcohol. Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What are the two main functional divisions of the pancreas?
The pancreas has dual functions: an exocrine component and an endocrine component. The exocrine pancreas comprises approximately 95% of the gland's mass and consists of acinar cells that produce digestive enzymes—including lipase, amylase, and trypsinogen—which are secreted into the duodenum via the pancreatic duct. The endocrine pancreas consists of scattered clusters of cells called islets of Langerhans that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.
What hormones do the islets of Langerhans produce?
The islets of Langerhans contain several cell types: beta cells produce insulin, which lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake and glycogen storage; alpha cells produce glucagon, which raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver; and delta cells produce somatostatin, which inhibits both insulin and glucagon secretion and slows digestive processes.
How does the pancreas differ in Type 1 versus Type 2 diabetes mellitus?
In Type 1 diabetes mellitus, the immune system destroys the pancreatic beta cells, resulting in near-total loss of insulin production. Patients require exogenous insulin to survive. In Type 2 diabetes mellitus, beta cells continue to produce insulin, but peripheral tissues develop resistance to its effects; eventually, beta cell exhaustion may occur. Type 2 is primarily managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin.
What causes acute pancreatitis and what are the consequences of pancreatic enzyme activation within the gland?
Acute pancreatitis is most commonly caused by gallstones obstructing the pancreatic duct or by excessive alcohol consumption. When digestive enzymes such as trypsinogen are activated prematurely within the pancreatic tissue rather than the duodenum, they begin digesting the pancreas itself—a process called autodigestion. This triggers severe inflammation, pain, and can lead to pancreatic necrosis, infection, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
Why does pancreatic cancer have one of the lowest survival rates?
Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage because the pancreas is located deep in the retroperitoneum with few early symptoms, and there are no reliable screening tests for the general population. By the time symptoms such as jaundice, weight loss, or back pain appear, the tumor has typically spread to local vessels or distant organs. The five-year survival rate is approximately 11-12% for all stages combined.

Verwandte Strukturen

muscularis mucosa gut muscularis musculature of trunk muscle group of trunk cavity of pharynx cavitas pharyngealis oropharyngeal gland gland of oral part of pharynx oropharynx mesopharynx trunk somite palatoglossal arch anterior pillar of fauces muscular coat of digestive tract muscular layer of digestive tract

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This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.