Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Anatomy- Pancreas

The pancreas is located in the upper abdominal cavity, and is approximately 12-15cm long and 2.5cm thick.

Function:
- Completes the job of breaking down food
- Secretes hormones that affect sugar level (Glucagon- increases blood sugar, Insulin- stimulates cells to use glucose, Somatostatin- regulates the secretion of above)

Macrostructure
- Consists of a head, body, tail
- Contain the spinster of oddi.

Microstructure
- Exocrine: Acini (99% of clusters). Produces digestive enzymes/pancreatic juice. The juice is slightly alkaline.
- Endocrine: Islets of Langerhans (1%)
Amyylose is produced by the pancreas for sugar digestion. This can also be found in the saliva 

Pancreatic juice
- We produce 1200-1500mL per day
- It is made up of water, salts (including bicarbonate), digestive enzymes, and mucus.
- Digestive enzymes include: Pancreatic amylase (carbs), Trypsin (protein), Pancreatic lipase (fats).


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