The Pancreas

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The Pancreas
The Pancreas
By Dana Fatterusso Susie Papakanakis
By Dana Fatterusso Susie Papakanakis
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What is the Pancreas?

• The pancreas is an organ that lies within the
  abdominopelvic cavity between the stomach and
  small intestine. Secretes digestive enzymes and
  hormones that control blood sugar levels.
• It has two
  functions
• Endocrine
• - Secretes insulin and glucagons into the
  bloodstream
• Exocrine
• - Includes the acinar and epithelial cells
  which line the pancreas ducts.

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Physical Characteristics

• Slender
• Pail (Pinkish Gray)
• Lumpy Consistency
• About 15cm in length
• Has a head, body, and tail
• The head is closest to the duodenum (first part
  of small intestines)
• The body and tail are reaching toward the spleen

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Hormones of the Pancreas

• Beta Cells
• Beta Cells have channels in their plasma
  membrane that serve as glucose detectors. They
  secrete insulin in response to a rising level of
  circulating glucose.
• Alpha Cells
• Alpha Cells secrete glucagon.
• Delta Cells
• Delta Cells secrete somatostatin.
• Gamma Cells
• Gamma Cells secrete a pancreatic polypeptide,
  which reduces appetite.

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Molecular Description
Exocrine Tissue
Endocrine Tissue
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Organs That Interact With the Pancreas
Liver Insulin and glucagon secreted by the
enzymes in the pancreas are released into the
bloodstream. It lowers the blood sugar level and
increases the amount of stored carbohydrates in
the liver. Stomach The pancreas helps neutralize
chyme and break down proteins, fat and starch.
Chyme is passed from the stomach to the
duodenum. If the pancreas is not working
properly in neutralizing and breaking these
substances down, the body is prone to
starvation. Small Intestines The pancreas
secretes secretin which causes bicarbonate to be
released into the small intestines. This
happens in order to neutralize the harmful
acid coming from the stomach into the pancreas.
The enzymes secreted by the pancreas for the
small intestines enter the small intestines via
the pancreatic duct.
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Diseases of the Pancreas Pancreatitis

• Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas
  caused by gallstones or alcohol abuse.
• This disease can also be caused by injury,
  infection, or certain medications.
• The treatment for pancreatitis is pain medication
  and fluids inserted through the veins. This
  treatment is continued until swelling and pain go
  away.

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More Diseases Diabetes (two types)

• The bodys immune system attacks and destroys
  the pancreas insulin-producing cells (beta
  cells). Without insulin to move glucose into
  cells, blood glucose levels become excessively
  high, a condition known as hyperglycemia. Since
  the body cannot utilize the sugar, it coverts
  into urine and is lost.
• Weakness, weight loss, and excessive hunger and
  thirst are many of the consequences. Lifelong
  insulin injections are required to control blood
  sugar.
• The pancreas loses the ability to appropriately
  produce and release insulin. The body also
  becomes resistant to insulin, and blood sugar
  rises. Eventually, the cycle of elevated glucose
  further impairs and possibly destroys beta cells,
  thereby stopping insulin production completely
  and causing full-blown diabetes.

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More Diseases? Islet Cell Tumor

• The hormone-producing cells of the pancreas
  multiply abnormally, creating a benign or
  cancerous tumor.  
• These tumors produce excess amounts of hormones
  and then release them into the blood.
• Gastrinomas, glucagonomas, and insulinomas are
  examples of islet cell tumors.

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Websites

• http//www.sciencephoto.com/images/showFullWaterma
  rked.html/P540097-Human_Pancreas-SPL.jpg?id805400
  097
• http//www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/dige
  stion/pancreas/histo_endo.html
• http//www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res
  .html?id805400059
• http//carondelet.net/Cancer/Pancreas/Pancrease.jp
  g
• http//odlarmed.com/?p815
• http//www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-o
  f-the-pancreas
• http//www.healthcentral.com/common/images/1/17194
  _10458_5.jpg
• http//listverse.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/diabe
  tes-type2.jpg
• http//health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ty
  pe-1-diabetes/print.html
• http//www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articl
  ekey4743
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreas