Pancreas and Liver Flashcards
What is the pancreas ?
A large gland that has both endocrine and exocrine functions.
Parts of the pancreas
Tail
Body
Neck
Uncinate process
Head
What does the pancreatic duct combine with ?
Common bile duct
3 Components of the Sphincter of Oddi
What are the primary functions of the pancreas ?
Neutralise acid content from the stomach
Deliver enzymes for macronutrient digestion in duodenum.
Where is pancreatic blood supply mainly from ?
Splenic artery from the Coeliac trunk
Pancreatico-duodenal arteries from the Superior mesenteric artery
What does the exocrine pancreas do ?
Secretes enzymes and bicarbonate.
The enzymes are secreted in their inactive forms to be activated in the small intestine.
3 phases of exocrine pancreatic regulation
Cephalic
Gastric
Intestinal
What stimulates duct cell secretion ?
Secretin
ACh
What is HCO3 secreted for ?
To aid in the neutralisation of stomach acid
Provides an optimal pH environment for digestive enzymes to function in the duodenum
What is the function of acinar cells ?
Secrete (pro)enzymes and fluid
The pancreatic acinar cell is the functional unit of the exocrine pancreas.
Synthesises, stores, and secretes digestive enzymes.
What is the function of duct cells ?
Secrete bicarbonate
What is cystic fibrosis ?
Autosomal recessive disease
What is the result of cystic fibrosis ?
Progressive pancreatic and pulmonary insufficiency
How does the result of cystic fibrosis occur ?
Mutations in the CFTR gene which codes for cAMP-regulated chloride channel.
Leads to decrease in HCO3- secretion, blockage of ducts and eventual destruction of pancreas.
Lack of digestive enzymes leads to maldigestion of nutrients.
What is acute pancreatitis ?
Inflammatory condition that may cause local damage to pancreas.
Causes of acute pancreatitis
Alcohol
Gallstones
(pathogenesis thought to occur in acinar cells)
What does bile consist of ?
Bile acids
Electrolytes
Cholesterol
Phospholipids
Bilirubin.
Where is bile concentrated more : the liver or the gallbladder ?
Gallbladder
What does CCK cause ?
It causes the Gallbladder to contract and the Sphincter of Oddi to relax, therefore moving bile into the small intestine.
Lobes of the liver
4 lobes :
Right lobe, Left lobe, Quadrate lobe, Caudate lobe
What separates the right and left lobes of the liver ?
Falciform ligament
What is near the quadrate lobe ?
The gallbladder
What is near the caudate lobe ?
The inferior vena cava