Week 3: Pancreas

Pancreas anatomy

posterior to stomach, body extends horizontally along abdominal wall, head and neck lie in curve of duodenum

pancreas acts as both____ and a ____ organ

endocrine and exocrine

endocrine gland function

secretes substances into bloodstream

islet of langerhans

endocrine portion of pancreas

what do islets of langerhans produce

insulin and glucagon that secrete to bloodstream

exocrine gland function

secretes substances through duct (into dueodenum)

exocrine gland produces

digestive enzymes and pancreatic juices

enzymes and pancreatic juices function

aids in breakdown of carbs, proteins, fats while neutralizing acidic contents coming from stomach into duodenum

insulin does what to blood sugar

lowers (glucose to glycogen)

glucagon does what to blood sugar

raises (glycogen to glucose)

islets of langerhans alpha cells produce

glucagon when blood sugar is low

alpha cells stimulate liver to

release store glucose (glycogenolysis)

islets of langerhans beta cells produce

insulin, which lower blood glucose by facilitating entrance of glucose into cells for metabolism

if blood glucose is low

glucagon is release from alpha cells in pancreaseand liver releases glucose into blood

if blood glucose is high

insulin is released by beta cells and fat cells take in glucose from blood