Strucure and function of the pancreas Flashcards
Where is the pancreas located?
in the upper abodmen, behind the stomach
What is the main roles of the pancreas?
controlling blood glucose concentration and in digestion
it is a glandular organ - secretes hormones and enzymes
What are the 2 main function of the pancreas?
- exocrine gland
- to produce enzymes
- release them via a duct into the duodenum
- endocrine gland
- to produce hormones
- release them into the blood
What is most of the pancreas made up of?
exocrine glandular tissue
What is formed by the exocrine glandular tissue and what is its function?
alkaline fluid known as pancreatic juice produced
enzymes produced:
- amylase
- break down starch into simple sugar
- e.g. pancreatic amylase
- proteases
- break down proteins into amino acids
- e.g. trypsin
- lipases
- break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
- e.g. pancreatic lipase
What hormones are produced by the endocrine glandular tissue?
insulin and glucagon
How are these hormones produced?
within the exocrine tissue there are small regions of endocrine tissue called islets of LAngerhands
cells of the islets of Langerhans are responsible fro producing insulin and glucagon, and secreting these hormones directly into the blood stream
What is teh difference between the difference between endocrine and exocrine tissue under a microscope
- islets of Langerhans are more lightly stained then the pancreatic acini
- the shape is larger
What are the two types of cells in the islets of Langerhans and what hormones do they secrete?
aloha cells - produce and secrete glucagon
beta cells - produce and secrete insulin
How are alpha cells and beta cells told apart?
alpha cells are larger and more numberous than the beta cells within the islet
Beta cells stain Blue
alphja cells are stained pink
label the diagram
1) acini
2) islets of langerhands
3) via ducts
