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endocrine pancreas

endocrine pancreas

The part of the pancreas that is part of the endocrine system and is made up of islet cells, which produce insulin, glucagon and somatostatin.

On this page
Type Gland
Body System Endocrine
Latin Name endocrine pancreas
FMA ID 16018

Frequently Asked Questions

What cells make up the endocrine pancreas?

The endocrine pancreas consists of the islets of Langerhans, containing alpha cells (glucagon), beta cells (insulin), delta cells (somatostatin), PP cells (pancreatic polypeptide), and epsilon cells (ghrelin). These cells form compact clusters scattered throughout the exocrine pancreatic tissue.

How does the endocrine pancreas regulate blood glucose?

When blood glucose rises, beta cells secrete insulin to promote cellular glucose uptake and glycogen storage. When blood glucose falls, alpha cells secrete glucagon to stimulate glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis in the liver, maintaining glucose homeostasis.

What is the blood supply of the endocrine pancreas?

The islets of Langerhans are highly vascularized relative to their size, receiving about 5-10 times the blood flow of the surrounding exocrine pancreas per unit mass. This rich blood supply allows rapid hormone secretion in response to changing blood glucose concentrations.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:16018 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0000016 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)
  3. Wikipedia — endocrine pancreas Encyclopedia article (verified cross-reference)

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Educational Disclaimer

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.