Pancreas Flashcards
What is the pancreas?
An elongated gland, accessory to the GI tract that also has endocrine functions. It lies horizontally across the posterior abdominal wall.
What releases pancreatic juice, and what is pancreatic juice?
Exocrine tissues of the pancreas.
Pancreatic juice is a major digestive secretion containing digestive enzymes.
What is the structure of the exocrine tissues?
They are tubuloacinar. The enzymes are secreted in the acinus and modified in the ducts.
How is pancreatic juice transported to the duodenum?
Via the pancreatic duct, which joins the common bile duct to form the Ampulla of Vater.
How is the entrance of pancreatic juice to the descending duodenum controlled?
By the Sphincter of Oddi.
What are the two components of pancreatic juice?
Alkaline secretion and enzyme rich secretion.
What is the alkaline secretion?
It has a low enzyme content and high bicarbonate content.
It helps neutralise the acidity of gastric contents.
What does the enzyme rich secretion contain?
This contains the major enzymes involved in digestion. It is secreted as pre-enzymes that are activated in the gut so that they don’t digest the pancreas.
How is the pancreas under autonomic control?
Sympathetic stimulation decreases secretions and parasympathetic stimulation increases secretions.
