Anatomy
The pancreas is a glandular organ located behind the stomach and near the duodenum.
It is elongated and has a head, body, and tail. It is composed of two types of tissue: exocrine and endocrine.
Exocrine tissue makes up the majority of the pancreas and consists of small, grape-like clusters called acini.
The endocrine tissue is found in small clusters called islets of Langerhans.
Functions
The pancreas has both endocrine and exocrine functions.
a) Endocrine function
The islets of Langerhans produce hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
b) Exocrine function
The acini secrete digestive enzymes, and an alkaline fluid called pancreatic juice.
These enzymes include proteases for protein digestion, amylases for carbohydrate digestion, and lipases for fat digestion.
The alkaline fluid neutralizes the acidic chyme from the stomach, creating a suitable environment for the enzymes to function effectively in the duodenum.