The Pancreas Flashcards

1
Q

why can the pancreas be described as a dual purpose gland

A

it has both hormonal and digestive functions

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2
Q

is the pancreas exocrine or endocrine in function

A

both

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3
Q

describe the endocrine portion of the pancreas

A

islets of langerhans

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4
Q

what are the islets of langerhans responsible for

A

secretion of hormones, insulin, glucagon and somatostatin

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5
Q

which portion of the pancreas is responsible for secretions passing to the bloodstream

A

endocrine

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6
Q

which makes up more of the pancreas; exocrine or endocrine

A

exocrine, at 99%

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7
Q

what does the exocrine portion of the pancreas contain

A

digestive enzymes and bicarbonate ions

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8
Q

what is insulin

A

the hormone responsible for promoting glucose absorption from the blood into the liver, skeletal muscle and fat cells, and enables conversion into its storage form, glycogen

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9
Q

what is glucagon

A

the hormone that converts stored glycogen into glucose for release into the blood stream when levels are low

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10
Q

what is somatostatin

A

the hormone that reduces acid secretion and helps to slow down the digestive process, although it has a variety of other functions in the body

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11
Q

what do the digestive enxzymes found in the exocrine portion of the pancreas do

A

they break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats

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12
Q

what is the pancreas acinus

A

cluster of cells found in the pancreas that produce digestive enzymes

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13
Q

what are the digestive enzymes produced in the exocrine pancreas

A

amylase
lipase
trypsin
chymotrypsin
nucleases

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14
Q

how is bicarbonate produced in the exocrine pancreas

A

comes from the ducts of the pancreas

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15
Q

what are the functions of the bicarbonate ions found in the exocrine pancreas

A

neutralising gastric acid so there is an optimum ph

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16
Q

what does amylase do

A

breaks down starch into sugars

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17
Q

what does lipase do

A

breaks down fats into monoglyceride and fatty acids

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18
Q

what is trypsin involved in

A

breakdown of fats into monoglyceride and fatty acids

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19
Q

how is trypsin secreted

A

in its inactive form, trypsinogen

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20
Q

what does trypsin do

A

breaks down or hydrlyses proteins

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21
Q

what does chymotrypsin arise from

A

inactive chymotryupsinogen

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22
Q

what does chymotrypsin do

A

breaks down proteins and polypeptides

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23
Q

what do nucleases break down

A

nucleotides

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24
Q

what are the regions of the pancreas

A

head
uncinate process
neck
body
tail

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25
Q

describe the head of the pancreas

A

this is the widest part of the pancreas and lies within the c shaped curve created by the duodenum
it is connected to the duodenum by connective tissue

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26
Q

which section of the pancreas is the widest

A

the head of the pancreas

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27
Q

which region of the pancreas is found within the c curvature of the duodenum

A

the head of the pancreas

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28
Q

how is the head of the pancreas attached to the duodenum

A

connective tissue

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29
Q

describe the uncinate process of the pancreas

A

this is a projection arising from the lower part of the head that extends medially to lie beneath the body of the pancreas
lies posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels

30
Q

what is the neck of the pancreas

A

this is the region of the pancreas found between the head and body regions. overlies the superior mesenteric vessels, forming a groove in its posterior aspect

31
Q

which region of the pancreas extends medially to lie beneath the body of the pancreas

A

the uncinate process

32
Q

which region of the pancreas lies posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels

A

the uncinate process

33
Q

which region of the pancreas is located between the head and body

A

the neck

34
Q

which region of the pancreas overlies the superior mesenteric vessels, forming a groove in its posterior aspect

A

the neck

35
Q

how is the body of the pancreas located

A

centrally, crossing the midline of the human body to lie behind the stomach and to the left of the superior mesenteric vessels

36
Q

which region of the pancreas is intraperitoneal

A

the tail

37
Q

describe the location of the tail of the pancreas

A

left end of the pancreas, lies within close proximity to the hilum of the spleen. contained within the splenorenal ligament with the splenic vessels

38
Q

what is the major duodenal papilla surrounded by

A

sphincter of oddi

39
Q

what is the major duodenal papilla

A

rounded projection at the opening of the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct

40
Q

how is the minor duodenal papilla located in relation to the major papilla

A

2cm proximal to it

41
Q

how common is a minor duodenal papilla

A

occurs in 10% of people

42
Q

what is the minor duodenal papilla

A

the opening of the accessory pancreatic duct

43
Q

what are the three forms of the islets of langerhans

A

alpha
beta
delta

44
Q

what do alpha islets of langerhans secrete

A

glucagon

45
Q

what do beta islets of langerhans secrete

A

insulin

46
Q

what do delta islets of langerhans secrete

A

somatostatin

47
Q

how many islets of langerhans are alpha

A

15%

48
Q

how many islets of langerhans are beta

A

80%

49
Q

how many islets of langerhans are delta

A

5%

50
Q

what composition of the pancreas do islets of langerhans take up

A

1%

51
Q

describe the exocrine pancreas

A
  • lobulated serous glands
  • produce a number of enzymes essential for digestion
  • acini connected by short intercalated ducts
  • acini link to intralobular ducts which ultimately drain to the pancreatic duct
  • centroacinar cells are extenstions of the intercalated ducts into each pancreatic acinus
  • typically secretes bicarbonate and mucin
52
Q

what are acini

A

clusters of acinar cells

53
Q

how are acini connected

A

intercalated ducts

54
Q

what join together to drain the pancreatic duct

A

acini link to interlobular ducts

55
Q

what are centroacinar cells

A

spindle shaped extensions of intercalated ducts

56
Q

what is cystic fibrosisq

A

autosomal recessive inherited condition that mostly affects the lungs, and is an issue with the exocrine portion of the pancreas.
leads to abnormal thick secretions, damaging the lungs, liver and pancreas

57
Q

what does cystic fibrosis cause

A

abnormal thick secretions that damage the lungs, liver and pancreas and salivary glands.
destruction of the exocrine pancreas leading to reduced digestive function, malabsorption and steorrhoea.

58
Q

when do the symptoms of cystic fibrosis begin

A

childhood

59
Q

how does cystic fibrosis cause malabsorption

A

destruction of the pancreas and the ability to secrete digestive enzymes

60
Q

how does cystic fibrosis lead to steorrhoea

A

there is no breakdown of fats so stools become fatty

61
Q

which organs are affected by cystic fibrosis

A
  • sinuses
  • lungs
  • skin
  • liver
  • pancreas
  • intestines
  • reproductive organs
62
Q

how does cystic fiboris affect sinuses

A

infection

63
Q

how does cystic fiboris affect lungs

A

build up of thick, sticky mucous. can lead to bacterial infection and widened airways

64
Q

how does cystic fiboris affect skin

A

sweat glands can produce salty sweat

65
Q

how does cystic fiboris affect the liver

A

blocked biliary ducts

66
Q

how does cystic fiboris affect the pancreas

A

blocked pancreatic ducts

67
Q

how does cystic fibrosis affect the intestines

A

cannot fully absorb nutrients

68
Q

how can cystic fibrosis affect fingers and toes

A

leads to clubbing, where there is increased convexity of the nail and thickening of the digits distally

69
Q

describe pancreatic cancer

A

affects the head of the pancreas and can lead to loss of appetite or weight loss. patients can feel tired or lethargic. can also lead to abdominal pain.
biliary obstruction blocks the bile and pancreas secretions and can lead to jaundice due to build up of bilirubin that hasnt been excreted.
pale stools
can spread to other sites like the liver

70
Q

what is jaundice

A

yellowing of the skin and sclera

71
Q
A