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a b o u t   t h e   p a n c r e a s !

p a n c r e a s

The pancreas is located behind your stomach. It weighs at around half a pound and it is a long, slender organ. Within the pancreas, concentrated in its "tail", are very small groups of cells called the islets of Langerhans. Paul Langerhans, after whom they were named, first discovered the islets in 1869.

The pancreas has two main functions: 1.) exocrine: Your exocrine part of the gland produces enzymes and other materials that are secreted directly into your intestines to aid digestion; and 2.) endocrine: Your endocrine pancreas monitors minute-to-minute changes in glucose, amino acids, ketone bodies, and fatty acids. The endocrine pancreas responds to those stimuli by secreting hormones from alpha, beta, and delta, cells directly into the bloodstream.

Your pancreas secretes digestive juices which break down fats, carbohydrates, proteins and acids. It also secretes bicarbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid as it enters the duodenum. Some cells in the pancreas secrete hormones that regulate the level of glucose in the blood.

p a n c r e a s   q u i z

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