# The Pancreas --- The **pancreas** is an organ that has both [[exocrine gland|exocrine]] and [[endocrine system|endocrine]] functions, which makes it quite unique. It has very important functions in the digestive function and managing blood sugar homeostasis. ![[pancreas.png]] ## Anatomy The pancreas consists of a head, body and tail. It has a ductal system, with a main duct running the length of it's body. The main duct merges with the common bile duct which opens into the [[duodenum]]. This is significant, because a blockage originating in the liver or gallbladder can nonetheless back up into the pancreas. ## Exocrine The exocrine functions of the pancreas have to do with its [[digestive system]] functions, because it makes a bunch of pancreatic [[digestive enzymes]] as well as [[bicarbonate]] to neutralize the acidic chyme entering the duodenum. The pancreas is stimulated to release it's pancreatic juice by the presence of the hormone [[secretin]]. - [[protease|proteases]] make up about 90% of pancreatic juice - trypsin - this is the most abundant - chymotrypsin - activated by trypsin - elastase - activated by trypsin - breaks down elastic tissue specifically - [[lipase|lipases]] - phospholipase A - Somehow this is associated with breaking down [[alveoli|pulmonary surfactant]] in the lungs, which can lead to [[acute respiratory distress syndrome|ARDS]] - activated by trypsin or bile salts - [[amylase]] - pancreatic amylase - splits carbs into [[disaccharide|disaccharides]] >[!science] Pancreatic Juice The pancreas secretes up to 1.5 liters of pancreatic juice through a duct into the duodenum per day. This fluid consists mostly of water, but it also contains the pancreatic enzymes and bicarbonate. ## Endocrine The pancreas makes [[insulin]] from specialized cells called *beta cells*. Insulin is released when there is high blood sugar content and it lowers it. If these cells become damaged or destroyed that can develop into [[type 1 diabetes mellitus|type 1 diabetes]]. It also makes [[glucagon]] from *alpha cells* to raise blood sugar. ![[insulin and glucagon.png]] ## Problems with the Pancreas - [[type 1 diabetes mellitus|type 1 diabetes]] - [[pancreatitis]] (acute and chronic) ___