5.4. Overview of the Pancreas Flashcards
What are the 4 Areas of the Pancreas?
- The Head of the Pancreas
- The Neck of the Pancreas
- The Body of the Pancreas
- The Tail of the Pancreas
Where does the Head of the Pancreas lie?
This is the C-Shaped part which is adjacent to the Duodenum
Where does the Neck of the Pancreas lie?
This connects the Head to the Body of the Pancreas, Posterosuperior to the Duodenum
Where does the Body of the Pancreas lie?
This is the main part of the Pancreas which is found Posterior to the Stomach
Where does the Tail of the Pancreas lie?
This is Posterior to the Stomach which extends towards the Spleen
What are the 2 functions on the Pancreas?
- The Endocrine Function
2. The Exocrine Function
What is the Histological Area of the Pancreas associated with its Endocrine functions?
The Islets of Langerhans
What is the action of the Endocrine function of the Pancreas?
To control blood glucose by producing Glucagon, Insulin and Somatostatin
What are the names of the parts of the Pancreas associated with its Exocrine function?
- The Acinar Cells
- The Intercalated Ducts
- The Interlobular Ducts
- The Intralobular Ducts
- The Main Pancreatic Duct
The above feeds into the one below
Where does the Main Pancreatic Duct enter into the Duodenum?
The Major Duodenal Papilla (aka the Sphincter of Oddi)
What is the function of the Exocrine Pancreas?
To secrete Digestive Enzymes into the Duodenum
What is the functions of the Acinar Cells of the Pancreas?
To produce the Zymogens (Inactive Precursors) to Digestive Enzymes secreted by the Pancreas
Why are the Digestive Enzymes created as Zymogens?
To prevent Auto(Self)-Digestion of the Pancreas
What converts the Zymogens into the Active Digestive Enzymes?
Trypsin
Where is the Trypsin present in the Duodenum?
On the Brush Border
What forms Trypsin on the Brush Border?
An Enterokinase acts on Trypsinogen to convert it into Trypsin
What are the functions of the different Ducts in the Pancreas?
- To transport the Zymogens of the Pancreatic Enzymes to the Duodenum
- To bathe the Zymogens in Bicarbonate
Why is it essential to Neutralize the Chyme before the Pancreatic Enzymes react it?
As Pancreatic Enzymes are denatured at any pH less than 5
What, in the Duodenum, secretes Bicarbonate?
Brunner’s Glands
Where can Brunner’s Glands be found?
In the Sub-Mucosa of the Duodenum
What gene controls Pancreatic secretion of Bicarbonate?
The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR ) Gene
What controls Duodenal secretion of Bicarbonate?
- Long (Vagal) Reflexes
2. Short (Enteric Nervous System) Reflexes
What controls Pancreatic secretion of Bicarbonate?
The Release of Secretin from S-Cells
What are S-Cells?
Endocrine Cells in the Duodenal Mucosa
How is the Secretin transported, to reach its target organs?
In the Plasma
What are the Target Organs of Secretin?
- The Stomach
- The Pancreas
- The Liver
What is the action of Secretin on the Stomach?
It inhibits the production of Gastrin
What is the action of Secretin on the Pancreas?
It stimulates the Production of Bicarbonate in the Pancreas
What is the action of Secretin on the Liver?
It stimulates the Production of Bicarbonate in the Bile
What inhibits Secretin Release?
Acid Neutralization
What is the Significance of Acid Neutralization inhibiting Secretin?
It will therefore form a Negative Feedback Loop
What causes an increase in Cholecystokinin secretion?
The presence of Fatty Acids and Amino-Acids in the Duodenum
What is the target organ of Cholecystokinin?
The Pancreas
How does the Cholecystokinin travel to reach its target organ?
Via the Plasma
What is the action of Cholecystokinin on the Pancreas?
It increases the Digestive Enzymes secreted
What does the Increased release of Digestive Enzymes cause?
An increase in the Flow of Enzymes into the Small Intestine and an increase in the Digestion of Fats and Protein
