Histology of the Pancreas and Spleen

Question 1

What are the main functions of the pancreas?

Answer 1

Digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats; regulation of blood sugar levels.

Question 2

What are the two main types of tissue in the pancreas?

Answer 2

Exocrine tissue and endocrine tissue.

Question 3

What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?

Answer 3

Secretion of digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the duodenum.

Question 4

What are pancreatic acini?

Answer 4

Clusters of secretory cells in the exocrine pancreas.

Question 5

What is the endocrine function of the pancreas?

Answer 5

Regulation of blood glucose levels.

Question 6

What are pancreatic islets?

Answer 6

Clusters of endocrine cells scattered throughout the pancreas.

Question 7

What are the hormones produced by pancreatic islets?

Answer 7

Insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide.

Question 8

What is the role of insulin?

Answer 8

Lowers blood sugar levels by promoting cellular uptake of glucose.

Question 9

What is the role of glucagon?

Answer 9

Raises blood sugar levels by promoting glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis.

Question 10

What is the histological structure of pancreatic acini?

Answer 10

Clustered acinar cells surrounding small ducts.

Question 11

What are zymogen granules?

Answer 11

Vesicles containing digestive enzymes in pancreatic acinar cells.

Question 12

What is the structure of pancreatic ducts?

Answer 12

Branched tubular structures lined with cuboidal epithelium.

Question 13

What is the main pancreatic duct?

Answer 13

Main duct draining pancreatic secretions into the duodenum.

Question 14

What is the accessory pancreatic duct?

Answer 14

Secondary duct providing an alternative route for pancreatic secretions.

Question 15

What is the histological composition of pancreatic islets?

Answer 15

Mix of alpha, beta, delta, and F cells.

Question 16

What are alpha cells?

Answer 16

Secrete glucagon.

Question 17

What hormone do alpha cells secrete?

Answer 17

Secrete insulin.

Question 18

What are beta cells?

Answer 18

Secrete somatostatin.

Question 19

What hormone do beta cells secrete?

Answer 19

Secrete pancreatic polypeptide.

Question 20

What are delta cells?

Answer 20

Secrete somatostatin.

Question 21

What hormone do delta cells secrete?

Answer 21

Secrete pancreatic polypeptide.

Question 22

What are F cells?

Answer 22

Secrete pancreatic polypeptide.

Question 23

What hormone do F cells secrete?

Answer 23

Secrete pancreatic polypeptide.

Question 24

What is the blood supply to the pancreas?

Answer 24

Superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries.

Question 25

What arteries supply the pancreas?

Answer 25

Pancreaticoduodenal arteries arising from the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery.

Question 26

What veins drain the pancreas?

Answer 26

Pancreatic veins draining into the portal vein.

Question 27

What is the innervation of the pancreas?

Answer 27

Sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers from the autonomic nervous system.

Question 28

What are the components of the spleen’s histological structure?

Answer 28

Red pulp composed of venous sinuses and splenic cords; white pulp composed of lymphoid tissue.

Question 29

What is the function of the red pulp in the spleen?

Answer 29

Phagocytosis of old or damaged red blood cells and platelets.

Question 30

What is the function of the white pulp in the spleen?

Answer 30

Immune surveillance and response to blood-borne antigens.