physiology of pancreas + insulin secretion (see notes!) Flashcards
does insulin increase more post oral glucose dose or post IV
Post oral
what are the 4 parts of the pancreas
head, neck, body, tail
where is the head of the pancreas situated
in the duodenal C loop, it also has an extension that wraps posteriorly around the sup. mesenteric vein+artery (uncinate process)
what structure does the pancreas neck sit on
the portal vein
what organ does the tail of the pancreas invaginate
the hilum of the spleen
what artery runs along the top of the pancreas
splenic
what arteries supply the pancreas
superior and inferior duodenal arteries
where does the pancreas sit in relation to the stomach
behind it - it is a retroperitoneal organ
what is the “lesser sac”
the space between the stomach and pancreas
how can the lesser sac be accessed
via the epiplonic foramen
what are the 2 glandular systems of the pancreas
endocrine and exocrine
what does the exocrine system secrete and what process does it aid in
aids in digestions -> secretes enzymes and zymogens e.g. proteases, amylase, lipase
what is a zymogen
an inactive enzyme precursor
what does the endocrine system secrete
hormones -> these are secreted directly into the portal circulation
what group of cells are the main players in the endocrine system
islets of Langerhans
what are the 5 types of cells in islet of Langerhans and what do they secrete
α - glucagon
β - insulin
δ - somatostatin
PP - pancreas polypeptide
ε -ghrelin
what kind of tumours form from mutations of islet cells
neuroendocrine
what are the 3 methods by which islet cells communicate
- humoural - cells within an islet can influence secretion of other cells as blood supply courses from the centre outward through the islet;
- cell-cell - both gap and tight junctional structures connect islet cells with one another;
- neural - symp/parasymp divisions regulate islet secretion
what is metabolism
the flow of energy throughout the body
what % of calorie consumption does the brain require
60-70%
what 2 hormones mainly dictate what happens to glucose in the body
- insulin (stores glucose)
- glucagon (converts store back to glucose)
what is the ideal blood glucose level
60-120mg/dL (4-6mm/L)
above what level of blood glucose is hyperglycaemia
7 mm/L (126mg/dL)
what diseases can arise from hyper glycaemia (general, 3)
eye, nerve, kidney disease -> aka diabetes
