Pancreas Flashcards
Where is the pancreas located? What is its structure like?
The pancreas hugs the duodenum, but unlike abdominal organs it does not sit in the peritoneum (“abdomen”). Instead, it is located in the retroperitoneum. It is not encapsulated (like the liver, kidneys, etc) and is instead a loose slurry of cells.
What five exocrine products does the pancreas secrete into the duodenum?
1) Bicarbonate - to neutralize gastric acid
2) Amylase - sugar digestion
3) Lipase - fat digestion
4) Trypsinogen - proteolitic enzyme
5) Chymotrypsinogen - proteolicitc enzyme
What category of cells in the pancreas secrete endocrine products (hormones)? What are the types?
Endocrine pancreatic activity arises from Islet cells. There are three types, alpha islet cells, beta islet cells, and delta islet cells
How is glucose stored in the body? Where does the majority of this storage take place?
Glucose is stored as glycogen, primarily in the liver and skeletal bone.
What do alpha islet cells secrete, and what does it do?
Alpha islet cells secrete glucagon, which stimulates the breakdown of glycogen into glucose to be released into the blood.
What do beta islet cells secrete, and what is its function?
Beta islet cells store and release insulin, which promotes the storage of circulating glucose as glycogen. Issues involving insuling are responsible for diabetes, type I and II.
What do delta islet cells produce, and what is its endocrine role?
Delta islet cells produce somatostatin, which inhibits the effects of various hormones, including glucagon, insulin, and CCK
What causes Diabetes Type I?
Diabetes type I is caused by the autoimmune destruction of beta islet cells. This results in the absence of insulin, leading to chronically high blood glucose levels. This leads to eye/nerve/kidney disease.
What causes Diabetes Type II?
Diabetes type II results from a resistance to insuling. The receptors do not function properly, leading to high blood glucose levels despite the presence of circulating insulin.
