Pancreatic Function Flashcards
What does the GI system contain
mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
What process does is this describing?
The process by which starches, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, other complex molecules are degraded for absorption and use in the body
Digestion (small intestine mostly)
This is a description of which organ:
Large gland involved in digestion
Not in the GI tract
Exocrine tissues: production of enzymes used in digestive process
Endocrine tissues: production of insulin and glucagon
Pancreas
This is the physiology of which organ?
Weights 70-105 g
Second in size to the liver
Behind the peritoneal cavity
About the level of first and second lumbar vertebrae
Pancreas
What area of the pancreas is this describing:
Liver and pancreas combine enzymes and bile here
Formed by the joining of the pancreatic duct and the common bile duct
Ampulla of Vater
Name and describe the TWO distinct tissues of the pancreas
Endocrine
Hormone releasing
2% total tissue
Consists of islets of Langerhans
Exocrine
Enzyme secreting
98% tissue
Secretes 1.5-2 L/day of fluid—digestive fluid
What cell does this describe and which pancreas tissue is this a part of?
Well-delineated, spherical, or ovoid clusters of 5 cell types
Secrete 5 hormones
Alpha—glucagon
Beta—insulin
Delta—somastostatin
Gamma– pancreatic polypeptide hormones
Epsilon–ghrelin
Hormones secreted into surrounding blood vessels and transported to tissues/organs
Islet Cells of the ENDOcrine Tissue
What cell does this describe and which pancreas tissue is this a part of?
Produce the digestive fluid
Connected by small ducts—join together into larger ducts (grape like structure)
Major pancreatic duct and smaller accessory duct
Normal, protein rich pancreatic fluid
Clear, colorless, watery
Alkaline pH up to 8.3
Caused by high concentration of sodium bicarb used to neutralize gastric fluid (hydrochloric acid)
Bicarbonate and chloride concentrations vary reciprocally
Total about 150 mmol/L
Fluid has same concentrations of K and Na as serum
Acinar cells (grape-like clusters) of the EXOcrine tissue
Exocrine digestive enzymes work on what 3 major classes of food?
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Fats
What are the digestive enzymes of the acinar cells in the pancreas exocrine tissue?
Proteolytic enzymes: trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, collagenase, leucine aminopeptidase, and some carboxypeptidases
Lipid-digesting enzymes: lipase, lecithinase
Carbohydrate-splitting pancreatic amylase
Several nucleases: ribonucleases—separate nitrogen containing bases from their sugar phosphate strands
What is under both nervous and endocrine control?
Pancreatic activity
This can secrete pancreas fluid when food is seen or smelled
Vagus Nerve
What is:
Responsible for alkaline pancreatic fluid that protects lining of intestine
Synthesized in response to acid stomach contents
Contains few digestive enzymes
Secretin
What is produced by cells of intestinal mucosa and responsible for release of enzymes from acinar cells
Cholecystokinin (CCK)—formerly called pancreozymin
What 3 disease states cause 95% of medical attention to the pancreas?
Cystic Fibrosis
Pancreatic Carcinoma
Pancreatitis
All 3 can:
Result in severely diminished pancreatic exocrine function
Significantly compromise digestion and absorption of nutrients
What pancreatic disease does this describe:
Inherited autosomal recessive disorder
Dysfunction of mucous exocrine glands
Most common Caucasian in U.S.
1 in 6000 live births
High frequency in Brittany, France
10% carry gene
CFTR gene—chromosome 7
Newborn screening standards
Cystic Fibrosis
What pancreatic disease does this describe:
Initial presentation varies
Intestinal obstruction: newborn
Excessive pulmonary infections: childhood
Pancreatogenous malabsorption: adults–uncommon
Causes small and large ducts and the acini to dilate and convert into cysts filled with mucous
Prevents pancreatic secretions from reaching duodenum
Can cause a plug that may cause bowel obstruction
Cystic Fibrosis
What pancreatic disease does this describe:
4th most frequent form of fatal cancer
7% of all deaths from malignant neoplasms
More males vs females
More blacks./Af.Am. vs other races
5 yr survival 6%
Most die within 1 yr
Pancreatic Carcinoma
What pancreatic disease does this describe:
Adenocarcinomas of ductal epithelium—most common origin
Rich supply of nerves—very painful
Delayed diagnosis if tumor is in the neck or body
Head—symptoms earlier—near bile duct
Signs: jaundice, weight loss, anorexia, nausea
Pancreatic Carcinoma
What effects do islet cell tumors have in a patient with pancreatic carcinoma?
Affect endocrine capability
Hyperinsulinism—low blood sugar
Hypoglycemic shock
These are the tests recommended for which pancreatic disease: pancreatic polypeptide (PP), other biochemicals, glucagon and gastric levels for gastrointestinal evaluations
Pancreatic Carcinoma
What two secretions are pancreatic tumors capable of?
Gastrin secreting
Gastrinomas
Cause Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Duodenal in origin
Symptoms: watery diarrhea, recurring peptic ulcer, significant gastric hypersecretion, hyperacidity
Glucagon secreting
Rare
What pancreatic disease matches this description:
Inflammation of the pancreas caused by autodigestion of the pancreas
Result of bile or duodenal contents into the pancreatic duct
Pancreatitis