histology of the pancreas Flashcards
what is the pancreas ?
it is both an exocrine and endocrine gland
the exocrine pancreas
produces about a litre of digestive fluid a day that contain proteases that break down proteins, lipases, nucleases, amylase etc each day
>these enter the duodenum via the pancreatic duct
the endocrine pancrease
consists of small scattered islands of tissue called Islets of Langerhans - which produce a number of hormones including insulin and glucagon
>cells are very basophilic
>the enzymes are produces as inactive proenzymes
>once the pancreatic secretion arrives in the duodenum an enteropeptidase converts the inactive proteolytic enzyme trypsinogen into the active form trypsin
why is the basal part of the cells of the pancreatic acinus typically basophilic ?
due to extensive RER
why is the apical part often very eosinophilic ?
due to the presence of zymogen granules
centroacinar cells
> duct cells within the acini
>their nuclei and cytoplasm do not stain as intensely as the secretory cells
bile and pancreatic ducts
the main pancreatic duct joins the common bile dict and opens into the duodenum on papillae : the hepatopancreatic ampulla
